3 minute read

Showing a sharp sprint from the back, Avilius won the 2019 George Main Stakes at Randwick on Saturday with some ease.

He hadn't won this campaign but showed his love of some give in the ground.

STAND AND DELIVER! Avilius proves himself for @JamesCummings88 @godolphin and @KPMcEvoy winning the G1 Colgate Optic White Stakes @royalrandwick... pic.twitter.com/gbz8lL1LWG

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2019

"WE'VE GOT SOME THINKING TO DO" - @JamesCummings88 was pleased to nab a Group 1 in the Colgate Optic White Stakes @royalrandwick on the way to more spoils this Spring with Avilius @godolphin @KPMcEvoy @bernadetecooper pic.twitter.com/6WnJGgAHwP

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 21, 2019

Winning Trainer: James Cummings

On the run: "That was a ripping performance from the horse. I think very impressive. It is an interesting feeling when you feel you are only part way through the horse's campaign. He was third up today and he had to be up to a certain level to put a horse like Dreamforce away."

"It was really good to see from our perspective a little bit of rain around this week. It was even better to see some pressure in the race and when Kerrin was able to sweep up into the race he was going to be the strong horse late. Very proud of him to put Dreamforce away with that turn of foot at WFA level."

On the wet track: "I think it would be giving up too much to be needing it every time. We can't really expect to get it at Flemington on Turnbull Stakes day if that is where he lines up so he's going to need to perform on top of the ground. I've got confidence in him to do it again."

"We see him in good form now picking up a G1 along the way, it is great for the team and will be good to see him firing up in stronger races in winning form."

On which race now: "That was a Cox Plate effort today but his first runs this campaign demonstrated he was more a Caulfield Cup. We have some thinking to do. He's airborne."

"We've been confident in the horse all the way along. We haven't lost any confidence in him. A great ride from Kerrin to bring him into the race off that kind of pressure. It's what we needed to see."

Winning Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

On the win: "We didn't have a great run in transit last time. Today, in the smaller field, I said right, we will take our medicine early.  They didn't go all that quick, so I must admit I was a little bit worried, but I was able to get a bit of a trail up and he showed a good turn of foot." 

On that soft ground: "He likes that ground, and he can still quicken in that ground. He's done it at a mile here today but I think he is a typical 2000m/2400m horse, which is what we learned in the autumn, so to see him show that speed there today was a plus. On that ground he has a more continuous turn of foot and he did travel sweet today I must admit." 

On where to next: "I don't think James and the team have really locked in to his next fews runs. Obviously there is the Caulfield Stakes in a couple of weeks, the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate. So there is options for him and I am sure they will look at all of them."   

Beaten Jockeys: 

Glen Boss (Happy Clapper): "He went great, the winner was just another level, that's one serious race horse. My bloke to his credit, he never runs a bad race, so he's still got a good one in him for sure."

Nash Rawiller (Dreamforce): "He didn't let me down one bit he ran super, he ran right up to his run the other day. Whether first up took a little bit out of him I'm not too sure. He went to the front at the furlong like the winner, but full credit to the winner he put him to the sword."

Tim Clark (Samadoubt): "He ran solid, no excuses. I was able to control, but probably just found it a little bit tough to maintain that level he has been at the last couple of runs."

Mark Zahra (Mr Marathon Man): "Wasn't disgraced, back to handicap grade and he should run well."

Luke Currie (Angel Of Truth): "It was an excellent run, he's right on track to have a really good preparation."

Tommy Berry (Danzdanzdance): "She gave me a tough time today, she had a real bee in her bonnet from the time I got on, she wasn't herself. I don't know the horse too well, but maybe just judge her on her next run."

Brenton Avdulla (Youngstar): "I thought she ran fine, she's just looking for a race with good genuine speed over 2000m."

James McDonald (Verry Elleegant): "Her efforts were good today, big improvement off her first up run. Obviously got caught a bit wide, she boxed on okay."