The $240,000 Group III MVRC Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday was turned into a procession when the field turned for home as Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Napoleonic loomed up out wide and charged clear to win as he pleased.
Trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, Napoleonic posted impressive wins at Wyong and Warwick Farm before a last start fourth in the Group II ATC Roman Consul Stakes won by Hidden Motive.
He bounced out of that run and with James McDonald in the saddle was sent off favourite for the Red Anchor with punters confidence well justified when he scored by more than four lengths taking his overall record to three wins from six starts with prizemoney just shy of $250,000.
"He's got a beautiful, natural cruising speed and action. John and I said (to James) to trust the horse and if you get caught deep, don't overthink it, keep it simple and hopefully he's the best horse in the race,” said Tom Charlton, who was non-committal about possibly backing up into the G1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes next Saturday.
“He's a beautifully minded horse, very tractable and put them away with ease.
"We were thinking not (going to the Coolmore) as we thought that race would probably come a bit too soon.
“We'll just take a breath, think about it and speak to connections. Whether it is this prep or next prep, he'll be a better horse next prep anyway."
James McDonald was full of praise for Napoleonic.
"He is a gorgeous horse. He's a pleasure to do anything with. He let rip today and I was impressed,” he said.
"Obviously caught a bit deep but he floated into the race well. He was electric. Nice horse.
"I was pretty comfortable throughout. He built into the race from the 400 to the 200 unbelievably well. A really good transition, too.
"He cornered well and obviously adapted to Moonee Valley brilliantly. Well trained and perfectly executed."
A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Widden Stud for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, Napoleonic runs for Jonathan Munz’s Pinecliff Racing and is a half-brother to Group III winner Ready Set Sail and stakes-placed Set the Sails.
Foaled and raised at Widden for his breeder Bill Frost, Napoleonic is the seventh winner from seven foals to race from Jolie Brise, a winning Fastnet Rock daughter of Group III winner Vestey.
Jolie Brise was on-sold by Widden Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was snapped up by Fairhill Farm for $40,000 and has foaled this spring producing a filly by Zousain.
Napoleonic is the 75th stakes-winner for champion sire Wootton Bassett, who passed away recently in Australia.
