Stephen Autridge’s tipping skills were put to the test at Te Rapa and only rotten luck prevented a winning result.

The Matamata horseman, who trains in partnership with Jamie Richards, gave a solid push toward Chambord’s chances in the Gr.3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m) only for the son of Zabeel to strike trouble in the straight.

Chambord was denied a run until late in the straight and once clear the injury-plagued seven-year-old powered home for second.

“I’m a Chambord man,” Autridge said. “He’s just a loveable horse who’s been to hell and back. He’s not timid and he’s just a genuine racehorse.”

However, the stable still celebrated a near perfect result with barn mate Royal Success winning for the sixth time in 12 starts. His career has also been interrupted by leg issues.

“They had worked together during the week and Royal Success probably looked the better, but I thought the track may have been a bit hard for him today.”

Royal Success was given a cost trip in the trail by Cameron Lammas and a determined finish got him home by a head from the luckless Chambord, who drove late under Chris Johnson after being hemmed in until too late.

The run of the third placegetter Ronchi was also full of merit after again missing the jump, as he had done at his previous two appearances, and storming home along the fence.