Viridine maintains unbeaten run at Randwick
GODOLPHIN colt Viridine has kept its unblemished record intact after blitzing the field in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick.
The three-year-old looked to be short of room heading into the straight but Brenton Avdulla remained patient on the $2.10 favourite at Ladbrokes, taking the horse to the inside before laying waste to the field in arguably the most impressive performance of its four race career.
Gary Portelli’s Single Bullet ($2.60 at William Hill) broke away in the final 200m alongside Viridine but could not match motors alongside, while stablemate to the winner Beau Geste rounded out the placings but did not return a dividend in a small field.
Avdulla said Viridine is one of the more naturally gifted runners in the Godolphin table.
“He’s a very talented colt, he’s blessed with a ton of speed and he’s just got to learn to harness his energy a little bit.”
The jockey said not all went according to plan for the colt from the barriers.
“As soon as those gates open he’s just locked on and again today I was in trouble for the first 400m, he just wanted to run through the bridle off a slow speed.
It wasn’t until they quickened up around the bend that he actually got into a rhythm, sure enough then I had to go.”
The hoop said when the run presented itself all he had to do was steer it into open air and the horse did the rest.
“He worked through up inside them and put pay to them very quickly passed the 200m, he was pretty soft late.
“He’s got a lot of ability but he can’t be making these sort of mistakes when he steps up to the top grade.”
Trainer James Cummings said what Viridine did at Randwick may be unprecedented.
I don’t think I’ve seen a horse pull that hard at Randwick and still put them away with so much ease over the concluding stages,” Cummings said.
The head Godolphin trainer in Australia believes the stable has an absolute star on their hands.
“Sheikh Mohammed has a very very good stallion prospect. He is unbeaten in four starts. The Coolmore is a month away and I’d imagine anyone looking at that would agree he’s a pretty exciting animal.”
The win was indicative of horse that could potentially travel further given how it was able to ease up on the line but the team look set to continue to keep the horse at the 1200m trip.
Avdulla believes the horse should remain at the sprint distance.
“He’s a strong galloper, he’s a serious animal, just has to learn to harness that energy and if he gets into a fast run six [furlong] that’s going to be his go.”