Charlie Appleby made a legion of fans in Australia last year and he is likely to make many more after getting a son of Exceed And Excel to run out a strong 2025 metres in Sunday's $300,000 Listed TAB Cranbourne Cup.
With the Everest winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, Folkswood (GB) raced up on the pace before getting the better of a stubborn Grey Lion, who gave OTI Racing and punters that secured $101 a mighty thrill., then held off the fast-finishing Berisha (Al Samer) by two and three-quarter lengths with Grey Lion (Galileo) a half-neck back in third.
Owned by Godolphin, Folkswood(GB) has won or placed in seven of his last eight starts.
A winner over 9-furlongs at Meydan in February, Folkswood (GB) finished second to Decorated Knight in the Group I Jebel Hatta over 10-furlongs on the same track a month later.
Decorated Knight would later win the Group I Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh and most recently the Group I Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Folkswood (GB) went back to England where he placed in the Group III Earl Of Sefton Stakes and Group III Huxley Stakes before finishing fifth in the Group III Diomed Stakes at Epsom before entering quarantine.
Stable representative Chris Connor said it would be up to Charlie Appleby and Sheikh Mohammed where Folkswood (GB) would make his next start but would not rule out next week's Caulfield Cup.
McEvoy said the son of Exceed And Excel really impressed him.
"He's a
"Charlie and Chris have left a little bit in him coming out here and he has a little bit of improvement to come.
"I was thinking there might be a bit of pressure for those first few spots, which there was, so I was able to slot in behind them and get a nice trail.
"When Guardini came around me he got my horse a little bit keen so when Guardini went forward I was able to pop out and get him a little bit more comfortable. My horse made a sustained run from the half-mile onwards and I knew he was going to be able to cope with that given what Charlie said and watching his replays.
"It worked out perfectly for us today.
"Charlie has got a good understanding of what's required and he doesn't tax them before coming here, it's important to have some fresh legs and he's getting a good strike rate."
Folkswood (GB) is out of the unraced Galileo mare Magic Nymph who is a sister to Listed winner and Group II placed Galactic Star out of the Group 1 Royal Ascot Coronation Stakes winner Balisada (Kris).
