Paulele shows promise
Godolphin colt goes two from two with commanding win at Randwick
PAULELE kept his unbeaten record and put himself into the Golden Slipper conversation with a polished performance at Royal Randwick yesterday.
The Godolphin two-year-old showed the benefit of race experience when he led throughout to score easily in the Precise Air Handicap (1200m).
Hall of Famer Darren Beadman, representing Godolphin trainer James Cummings, had a well-rehearsed line when asked where Paulele rates in the stable’s juvenile pecking order.
“He’s in the top 10,’’ Beadman said with a smile.
Beadman trots out a similar comment most years but to be fair, it is too early in the season to know exactly who the stable’s best youngsters are.
“James has got half a dozen there who are very promising,’’ Beadman said. “They are an even lot with plenty of upside.’’
Paulele ($2.10 favourite), ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, controlled the race from in front and won by nearly two lengths from Zarastro ($5) with Forzanini ($10) holding on for third, a length away.
McEvoy was impressed by Paulele’s professionalism: “He’s a nice colt, that’s two from two.
“From the (inside) gate, we thought if he popped out well we were going to try to hold the front.
“It’s hard for them to come from 1000m at The Valley and run 1200m here, it’s a long last furlong (200m).
“But he got into a nice rhythm from the 600m and obviously he’s got some nice ability under the hood as he’s done it quite well there.
“When that horse (Forzanini) joined me at the junction he just got a tiny bit fired up but I was happy with the way he travelled from the 600m to the 400m and then gave me a nice kick in the straight.’’
Paulele came from off the speed to win well at Moonee Valley on debut and showed his versatility in his Randwick win by leading all the way.
“It was only a 1000m at Moonee Valley and they went pretty slick up front that day but in the past three years that race has produced the likes of Yes Yes Yes and Written By,’’ Beadman said. “Hopefully this colt can step up to the plate and go on to bigger and better things.’’
Beadman described Paulele as a “very versatile colt” who has benefited from the experience of switching states.