Viridine looked a world beater when kickstarting his career with four consecutive wins, culminating with the Group II Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick, but it has been lean pickings since.
In his last 17 starts he could only number the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone in the win column but he has not had the rub of the green a few times and has some notable placings in the Group 1 The Galaxy, Group II Euclase Stakes and Group II Challenge Stakes.
The glorious looking son of Poet’s Voice (IRE) was back at the top of his game in Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Sandown in what looked a considerable step down in the class of horse he has met recently.
With Craig Williams in the saddle, the James Cummings-trained gelding defeated the outsider Mystyko (Sakhee’s Secret) by three-quarter of a length with Thermal Current (Exceed And Excel) the same distance back in third.
Viridine advances his record to 5 wins and 3 thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $720,650.
Godolphin spokesman Sean Keogh said the drop back in grade was the winning formula.
"The last time he was back in this grade was in May at Scone," Keogh told AAP.
"He's got terrific weight-for-age performances but he doesn't leave the gate and muster speed over 1000 metres.
"Craig had that in mind and had him in a lovely spot today and close enough to finish off."
Viridine is among Godolphin entries for the Perth summer carnival with an entry for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on November 30.
"I'm not sure what the boss will do after that win today," Keogh said.
Viridine is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the dual Melbourne winner Patina (Anabaa) who was sold by Darley at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Mario & Jenni Cesnik for $15,000 while carrying a filly foal by Epaulette.
That now 3yo filly named St Edward's Crown is a stakes-placed winner.
Patina is a half-sister to Listed winner Jerezana (Lonhro), who is the dam of the $2.8 million earner Osborne Bulls (Street Cry).
Patina is a daughter of Saddler's Silk (Barathea) who was placed in the Group I QTC Sires Produce Stakes and is a sister to dual Listed stakes winner and Group 1 placed Barawin.
Patina has a yearling colt by Frosted (USA) before slipping last spring.
