After disappointing in the Australian Cup, Godolphin's import Avilius (GB) kept his unbeaten record in Sydney intact with a dominant performance in Saturday's Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
After winning a pair of Group III races at Caulfield, Avilius finished fifth, a length and a half behind the winner Harlem (GB) in the Group 1 Australia Cup at Flemington on March 9.
He bounced back here under Kerrin McEvoy, displaying an impressive turn of foot on the heavy track to defeat the imported Frankel entire He's Eminent by two and a quarter lengths with Danzdanzdance a half-length back in third. (image Steve Hart)
The 5yo son of Pivotal advances his record to 9 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 17 starts with earnings of $1,504,460.
"He's a super horse and that was a demonstration of the supreme turn of foot that he can exhibit," winning trainer James Cummings said.
"Kerrin wasn't here to ride the track, he was here to ride the horse and I think that was the key to getting the horse over the line.
"He had a bit to turn around from his performance in the Australian Cup and we knew it but he's had a fantastic fortnight and I'm just proud of the team.
"I'm just so impressed by the horse to come from such a difficult position to claim them and win with authority.
"That's the sort of weight for age promise that he demonstrated when he hit the racetrack in Australia last year. He's got up and won us a Group 1 so we're thrilled for the horse.
"We hold a nomination for the Tancred next week but it's very much a team effort to get him here and he's done a wonderful job to improve many, many lengths since getting back from Melbourne."
A brother to Group II Prix Guillaume d'Ornano winner Saint Baudolino, Avilius is out of the winning Sunday Silence mare Alessandria whose dam Tereshkova (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner and one season shuttler Lycius (USA).
.@godolphin's Avilius has taken out the G1 Ranvet Stakes @rosehillgardens in a thrilling race. pic.twitter.com/MVcRcihtoQ
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2019
