GODOLPHIN’S Group 1 double at Rosehill began with the British-bred Avilius taking the Ranvet Stakes over 2,000 metres.

Having disappointed when backed ‘into the red’ to win the Australian Cup two weeks earlier, punters were quick to forgive, hoping that the Pivotal gelding would preserve his unbeaten Sydney form a fourth time.

As it was his win was one of the easiest of the day, cruising home by two and a half lengths over He’s Eminent and the Mastercraftsman mare Danzdanzdance.

RESULT REVERSE

Ironically the result somewhat reverses the 2017 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, when Avilius, trained at the time by Andre Fabre, was third to the Irish-bred Eminent who races here with the prefix ‘He’s’.

“I had a nice run through, following Auvray, he picked up really well when I asked him,” said jockey Kerrin McEvoy who completed the day with a Group 1 double.

“He powered through the ground. Soon after I asked him, I thought I’ve got this won.

“It’s pretty evident that he is pretty electric and that ground assisted him.”

Mindful that Winx won’t be around next season, James Cummings is contemplating backing Avilius in today’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes.

“It is very tempting to put that horse in the paddock and worry about races she (Winx) would have otherwise been targeting,” said Cummings.

“Alternatively I expect he would start favourite in the Tancred next week and if he is right and he is going to be in the paddock next Monday anyway.

“There could be a strong argument mounted that the horse could take his place there and it would do him no harm.”

Loving Gabby very close for Farrington

IT was a very nearly day for Irish bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington at Rosehill on Saturday. Newly appointed by Amer Abdulaziz’s Phoenix Thoroughbreds to look after their Australian interests last year. One of the first yearlings Farrington bought in 2018 was Loving Gabby that Oisin Murphy rode into fourth in the Golden Slipper, less than two lengths from the winner. That drama took place just after the Irish-bred Eminent was second in the Ranvet Stakes.

Kah gets Midterm home in Cup

JAMIE Kah has continued to break new ground for herself, winning the Group 2 Manion Cup for Lloyd Williams at Rosehill on Saturday. Riding the British-bred gelding Midterm, Kah got home by two lengths over the Irish-bred Big Duke in the 2,400 metre contest. “Jamie rode him beautifully today, gave him every chance. It was just a beautiful staying ride. She would’ve looked at home at Royal Ascot the way she rode that horse,” said Nick Williams. “She was just asked to get him into a rhythm and make the horse happy, then from the 1000m start improving and see what happens. Hopefully he pulls up okay and we can head back into the big city for the Sydney Cup.”

Midterm now sits on the second line of betting for the A$2 million Sydney Cup on April 13th, behind the Charlie Appleby-trained Dubhe.