The John O’Shea and Tom Charton stable produced Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Napoleonic to break his maiden at Wyong by five lengths at the start of the month and he made it back to back wins when scoring a stylish victory at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Ridden by James McDonald and sent out favourite for the Benchmark 68 event over 1200m, Napoleonic was strong to the line scoring by half a length over the Godolphin runner Ohope.
“He's a horse that is learning, and I think we're also learning about his trip and where he might get to this campaign, but obviously, he’s a horse that we hope will make stakes level in time,” said Tom Charlton.
There was probably a bit of a muddling speed early and he looked like he just would have appreciated a nicer gallop and that probably would have seen his attributes tested, but it was a decent race today and he's going to take another step forward off that.”
With the shock passing of champion sire Wootton Bassett at Coolmore Australia on Tuesday, his colts will now all be closely watched as stallion prospects for the future.
“He’s a lovely kind animal and a son of Wootton Bassett and while he is a long way off the breeding barn, he is a chance and he's a beautiful colt,” Charlton added.
“We've been keen to build his confidence, so we'll just chat with James and probably see what sort of distance he might appreciate.
“There's a nice 1400 metre option in a couple of weeks or 1200, and we'll just build from there, but he’s definitely a horse that we hope will participate in the carnival.”
James McDonald has had two rides on Napoleonic for two wins and believes there is more to come.
“He's a gorgeous horse. He keeps impressing even in his work. You only have to look at him to be pretty enthusiastic about him and he's got a big pedigree, being sadly by Wootton Bassett,” McDonald said.
“He's going to have a bright future for sure.
“I think John and Tom have got a good handle on him and I could see him freshening up for a Coolmore (G1) because he's quite sharp and the more he learns, the faster he'll get and I think he'll reach the top level.”
A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Widden Stud for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, Napoleonic runs for Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing and is a half-brother to Group III winner Ready Set Sail and stakes-placed Set the Sails.
He is the seventh winner from seven foals to race from Jolie Brise, a winning Fastnet Rock daughter of Group III winner Vestey.
Jolie Brise was on-sold by Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was snapped up by Fairhill Farm for $40,000 and is due to foal to Zousain this spring.
