Godolphin entire Paulele has broken his Group 1 hoodoo by scoring a thrilling win in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
It was the four-year-old’s ninth attempt at elite level success, with the son of Dawn Approach adding the final touches to his already impressive record.
He was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup in May, and jumped favourite in the Manikato Stakes two starts ago.
James Cummings travelling foreman Nacim Delmi was over the moon after Paulele’s ‘deserved’ Group 1 victory.
“It’s unreal. He’s finally got the Group 1 he deserved. The way he’s done it is freakish,” Delmi said.
“The plan today was just take him back, make sure he was relaxed and hopefully finish stronger than the rest.
“At the top of the straight it took him a while to get there but ‘wow’ that was a very good win.
“I’m sure that one day, not yet, he’ll join the stallion roster. He’s a very good looking horse and the guys had faith in him since day dot, so very pleased for everyone involved.”
Victorian jockey Ben Melham made the trip to Western Australia to partner the stallion prospect, with the pair settling at the tail of the fielding after jumping from gate 16.
The entire was still last as the field turned into the straight, but Melham got to the outside and the four-year-old produced a withering finishing burst.
Paulele got there in the nick of time to knock off his rivals by a head.
Melham was full of confidence prior to being legged aboard.
“He’s a horse that’s always had Group 1 ability, I believe, but his first couple of runs, they looked just fair on paper for his standards,” Melham said.
“They (stable) have had to travel him all the way to Perth and he drew awkward. James and I spoke this morning and we were happy to ride him quiet.
“There was a nice speed and he got into a lovely rhythm and he was really effective to the line.
“In his races he’s been forward but he’s been reluctant. The other day he was forward with the blinkers and just never comfortable up the straight in a good race, so I was confident he’s run really well today and I’m glad to be proven right.”
Paulele narrowly defeated the Dan Morton-trained Kissonallforcheeks, with This’ll Testya back in third place.
