Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Written by Paul Vettise
Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) looks set to challenge for higher 2-year-old honours after keeping his perfect record intact with a stylish victory at Randwick.
The Godolphin youngster also showed he was a versatile type, having won on debut at The Valley when coming from midfield and on Saturday he made all the play out in front.
Paulele was keen through the early stages before he settled into his work and when rider Kerrin McEvoy got serious the youngster sailed clear 200 metres off the line to win by a more than comfortable 1.75l.
Watch: Paulele win at Randwick
“He’s a lovely colt and superbly-bred, well-educated and well-handled and arrived in Sydney late last week in good fashion,” Godolphin representative Darren Beadman said.
“He was very professional and was able to control the speed. When Kerrin asked him for an effort he really hit the line nicely
“The horse was able to take advantage of gate one and follow the rail and that’s a big advantage in 2-year-old racing. He’s also showed he can handle left and right-handed racing.”
“The horse was able to take advantage of gate one and follow the rail and that’s a big advantage in 2-year-old racing.” – Darren Beadman
Beadman also pointed to the history of The Valley race that the James Cummings-trained Paulele had won toward the end of last month.
“That race has produced horses like Yes Yes Yes and Written By so hopefully our bloke can step up and go on to bigger and better things,” he said.
“It’s been a great effort by the team and Crown Lodge are doing a fabulous job with our 2-year-olds.”
Kerrin McEvoy and Paulele returning to scale
McEvoy said he had no concerns during the running with Paulele, who reveled in the role of pace-maker.
“He’s a nice colt and stood well in the barrier and was settled. He got into a happy rhythm and gave me a nice kick.”
“He got into a happy rhythm and gave me a nice kick.” – Kerrin McEvoy
Paulele is a half-brother to the G3 Canonbury S. winner Tessera (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and to the G3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. winner Montsegur (New Approach {Ire}).
Their dam Chatoyant (Flying Spur) was successful on four occasions and she is a half-sister to the G1 Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute’s Choice), the G3 Illawara 2YO Classic winner Time Out (Rory’s Jester).
Another half-sibling Legally Bay (Snippets) claimed an edition of the G3 Sweet Embrace S. and is the dam of the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and G1 Royal Ascot Diamond Jubilee S. winner and young sire Merchant Navy.
Expensive colt Zarastro (I Am Invincible) made a sound debut for trainer Chris Waller and, after racing in behind Paulele, ran on well to finish second.
Bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, Zarastro was offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Segenhoe Stud and was knocked down to Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $1,050,000.
