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Godolphin’s colt provides Epaulette with stakes winner number 17.
Under Damian Lane, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trainedDaumier (2 c ex Illustrate by Street Cry) scored a half length debut victory in Wednesday's Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (Listed, 1000m), becoming the 17th stakes winner for Epaulette (Commands).
Raced by Godolphin, Daumier beat Rampant Lion (Frankel) by a half length with his stablemate Philosopher (Zoustar), who started the short-priced favourite, back in third.
After jumping well, Daumier settled outside Philosopher, who showed his customary early pace to lead, but it was apparent before the halfway point of the straight the Godolphin colt had his stablemate's measure before then being forced to stave off a challenge from Rampant Lion.
"He began a little bit better than we thought and we didn't have much of a plan going into it, but he put up a really good performance," Sam Freedman said.
"He was challenged from all sides and showed really good fight in the last 100 (metres) and showed the 1100 and 1200 will be right in his wheelhouse."
Daumier covered the 1000m in 57.75 seconds, which included a 33.77s final 600 metres, 22.46s last 400 metres and 11.57s final 200 metres.
Philosopher drifted from $11 to $26 in betting for the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), but Freedman is not giving up hope on him as a chance in the Group One race on February 26.
"He's only been beaten a length so he's not far off and you would think this is a very good form reference going forward," he said.
"The first three across the line look like quality colts."
Bred by Godolphin, Daumier becomes the second winner and first stakes winner for the unraced Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Illustrate. His second dam is dual Group winning mare Parables (Lonhro), while further back this is the family of Myer Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Politeness (Street Sense) and New Zealand Group One winner On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau).
Illustrate has a yearling colt by Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) and after not being covered in 2020 visited Brazen Beau again last September.
Epaulette's progeny is headed by the Grade One winning duo Soqrat and Red Lark. He stood in Australia for seven seasons before being exported to Turkey last October.
A great start to Daumier's career taking out the Listed Blue Diamond Preview.
— Anthony Freedman Racing (@FreedmanRacing) January 26, 2022
After two good jump outs, he brings that form to the races with @LaneDamian in the saddle.
Congratulations to @godolphin. https://t.co/rRtkR9ectd
