Regal Zeus toughs out Golden Mile victory after barrier incident

Regal Zeus overcame an interrupted week – and a race-day barrier mishap – to score a tough all-the-way win in the Golden Mile at Bendigo.

Regal Zeus led all the way to win the Golden Mile at Bendigo. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Regal Zeus turned an interrupted week – and a barrier mishap on race day – into a tenacious Listed Golden Mile (1600m) success at Bendigo.

The John McArdle-trained gelding dictated the feature event and then withstood a challenge, the entire way down the straight, from Smokin’ Princess to win by a short head.

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Regal Zeus, who sealed a treble on Saturday for jockey Jamie Mott, had to be vetted before the start after he lunged at the barriers.

McArdle revealed post-race the barrier mishap was the second time in 72 hours the four-year-old gelding had come under veterinary scrutiny.

“He actually had a little bit of a blood Thursday afternoon, it was only very slight and we spoke to the stewards and re-blooded him (Friday) and it was OK,” McArdle said

“He almost was a scratching (before race day).”

Regal Zeus can't be run down in the Golden Mile! 😤

Jamie Mott is having a day to remember at Bendigo with a treble!@[e-mail]/lqD8NaLnkV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025

Consistent Regal Zeus has won five of the past 10 starts and placed second on four occasions.

“He’s just an incredibly tough horse,” McArdle said.

“He’s a Listed winner now, he can get out to 1700m-1800m.

“He’s a horse that handles wet and dry ground, he’s a racehorse.”

McArdle praised the ride to help Regal Zeus fend off Smokin’ Princess.

“He rode him perfectly, when Michelle and Patty’s horse got up outside him I thought we might be a bit soft but Jamie got into him and the horse does dig in,” McArdle said.

“We know he’s going to be in for the fight but a month between runs and his last start was 1200m so we were a little bit worried but as they say, the fight in the dog and there’s plenty of fight in him.”

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TITLE FIGHTER LANDS KNOCK OUT BLOW

Title Fighter nailed the bold Fasuto in the 1100m Benchmark 84 in a driving finish at Bendigo.

Fourth-placed favourite Tatsumaki, a $1.75 hot pot, travelled wide without cover and loomed to win at the top of the straight but could not sprint as sharply as others second-up after a long break.

Bendigo-trained Atlantic Spirit flashed late for third to give the locals a shout.

Title Fighter flashes right down the outside to win!@[e-mail]/oIJQGGXiyD

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 12, 2025

DROUGHT BREAKERS

Through Irish Eyes and Scheelite banished long droughts – 1448 and 700 days respectively – in separate races at Bendigo on Saturday.

Jockey John Allen rated Through Irish Eyes to perfection in the 2400m Benchmark 78 while Jordan Childs also executed a brilliant frontrunning ride on Scheelite.