Sheza Alibi might not be the only offspring of Saxon Warrior (Jpn) contesting feature races this spring with the Matthew Smith trained up and coming stayer Aethelwulf saluting as a red hot favourite at Rosehill on Saturday.
Second on debut at his only run last year at Goulburn, Aethelwulf has made swift progress through his grades this preparation after winning a maiden at Newcastle in June.
He bolted in at Kembla and Canterbury by a combined total of 11 lengths, which is why he was so short for his first try at a Saturday race in the 2000m Benchmark 78 with Zac Lloyd to ride.
Aethelwulf again made it look easy when powering to the line to win by a couple of lengths taking his overall record to four wins and a second from six starts with prizemoney topping $180,000.
Bought by his trainer for just $26,000 out of the Gooree Park draft at the Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale, Aethelwulf is the second winner from three foals to race from Boubolina, a three-quarter -sister by Epsom Derby winner New Approach (IRE) to Group I ATC Sydney Cup winner Niwot.
His grand-dam is tough staying stakes-winner Too Darn Hot, a daughter of renowned Kiwi staying sire Noble Bijou (USA) and his next two dams are also by Kiwi staying sires Balmerino and Mellay (GB), so it’s no wonder connections are looking towards staying features of the future.
The Group II $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 looks a likely goal for Aethelwulf after his impressive win.
"We were hoping he would do that today but you never know,'' Matt Smith said.
"He's a pretty unassuming horse at home, he's a lazy trackworker but he's switched on come raceday.
"It was good to see him step up in grade today and once he learns his craft he could be very good.
"I feel 2000m and beyond will be his trip as he has a massive stride, he has the biggest stride in my stable, but it's a big, easy, loping stride, very economical.'
“Aethelwulf may get there (The Metropolitan), we might go to the Newcastle Cup first. If he gets through that then why not?”
Saxon Warrior shuttled to Coolmore Australia for four seasons and remains on the roster in Ireland at a fee of €10,000.
