A brilliant tactical ride by Hugh Bowman saw Godolphin's highly regarded Lonhro colt Plague Stone break his maiden in Saturday's Rosebud Prelude 2yo Hcp (1000m) at Randwick.
Given plenty of time to settle, Plague Stone was back second last in the early stages.
Bowman scythed between runners to mount a challenge to the freewheeling Witherspoon in the final 200 metres and despite being 3kgs worse off at the weights, Plague Stone edged a half-length clear of Witherspoon (Exceed And Excel) with the Kris Lees-trained Tenor (Your Song) a further one and a half lengths back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
Following a debut second at Rosehill back in December, Plague Stone surfaced at Caulfield three months later where he ran the top-class Written By to a half-length in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude.
The James Cummings-trained colt was never a factor in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes won by that son of Written Tycoon but was given his chance in the Group II Todman Stakes at Rosehill on March 10 where he was far from disgraced finishing a three and three-quarter fifth behind Aylmerton despite a torrid trip.
Cummings said the signs were positive for Plague Stone.
"I liked the way he switched off and they've broken 34 seconds for the last 600 (metres) so that's a good sign," Cummings told AAP.
"He has carried more weight than the others and I like the look of The Rosebud in three weeks.
"He's beaten a stakes-placed filly in Witherspoon.
"I believe he is a fast sprinter and will get as far as 1200 metres which is why I've started him off now."
It's interesting that Plague Stone is such a smart juvenile as he has more of a classic pedigree.
The son of Lonhro is the third foal of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Giggleswick a 2-time winner who ran third in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks and was fourth in the Group III South Australian Fillies Classic.
Giggleswick is out of the Sadler's Wells mare High School who is a sister to four stakes-winners most notably triple Group 1 winner and excellent sire In The Wings and the Group II Prix Greffulhe winner and Group 1 French Derby third Hunting Hawk.
After being covered by Reset, Godolphin sent Giggleswick to the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was purchased by Mongolian Khan at Windsor Park Syndicate for $50,000.
Sent to New Zealand, Giggleswick has a ye3arling coly by Reset. She missed to Mongolian Khan in 2016 before being covered by the Caulfield Cup, ATC Australian Derby and NZ Derby hero again last year.
