By Paul Vettise
From flop to fabulous, Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) redeemed himself in fine style when he bounced back heroically from a last-start shock defeat at Flemington to a Rosehill ripper with victory in the G1 Ranvet S.
The Godolphin representative failed to deliver when fifth in the G1 Australian Cup when he was sent out at less than even money.
But that is now a distant memory when the James Cummings trained 5-year-old cut loose in the straight on Saturday to reel in the pacemaker He’s Eminent (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who also gave an outstanding account of himself, and sail on by for a commanding victory.
“He’s a super horse and that was a demonstration of the turn of foot he can exhibit,” Cummings said.
“He had a bit to turn around on his Australian Cup performance and we knew that. He’s had a fantastic fortnight since then and I’m just proud of the team.”
“He’s a super horse and that was a demonstration of the turn of foot he can exhibit.” - James Cummings.
Avilius settled in the second half of the field and picked up ground 800 metres from home and then unleashed with an impressive run in the straight.
“To come from such a difficult position and win this with authority. That’s the sort of weight-for-age performance that he demonstrated when he first hit the race track in Australia last year,” Cummings said.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer James Cummings
“He’s got a Group 1 and we’re thrilled for the horse. I don’t want to make any decisions on race day, it will be up to the way Avilius pulls up.
“It’s very much a team effort to get him here and he’s done a wonderful job off the back of that one run out of three in the Australian Cup.”
Avilius had opened his campaign with stylish wins in the G3 Carlyon Cup and the G2 Peter Young S.
“It’s because of Sheikh Mohammed that we’ve got such lovely horses. When the team all cheer in unison we all know we’re doing Godolphin proud.
“To see the improvement in this horse is a bit of relief for me. This horse has won three from four this preparation and it really shows what we can do when we all pull together. “
“James said he was happy to get back to Sydney and he was a bit more confident when the rain came.” – Kerrin McEvoy.
Rider Kerrin McEvoy said Avilius had revelled in the heavy going and was just too good.
“James said he was happy to get back to Sydney and he was a bit more confident when the rain came.
“We had a nice trip around and he travelled well. He showed a good turn of speed when I asked him and he was very willing. It was good to be on board to see him bounce back.”
Assistant trainer Darren Beadman, Godolphin managing director Vin Cox and jockey Kerrin McEvoy
“James and the team and myself agreed beforehand he had the best turn of foot in the race and that’s what he showed.
“He’s a very good horse. He might go to the Queen Elizabeth there’s a nice cheque there for connections for second if they run second to the great mare.”
“James and the team and myself agreed beforehand he had the best turn of foot in the race and that’s what he showed.” – Kerrin McEvoy.
McEvoy was referring to Winx’s final appearance in the Randwick feature.
“Anything can happen in racing. We haven’t seen it happen yet, but he can go there with all guns blazing,” he said.
The effort of He’s Eminent to finish second was full of merit and spoke volumes of the conditioning skills of trainer Sir Mark Todd with the horse appearing for the first time since August, 2018.
The G1 Queen Elizabeth S. is also on his programme with plans for the Sir Peter Vela and Hubie De Burgh-owned stallion to eventually retire to stud in New Zealand.
Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is yet another on the Queen Elizabeth trail and she did nothing at Rosehill to dissuade trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley from going down that path.
