Godolphin import Avilius (GB) could hardly have been any more impressive when making a winning Australian debut in a benchmark 91 over 1600 metres at Randwick on Saturday.
Given a cold ride by Glyn Schofield, Alvilius came with a sweeping run from second last on the turn to win untouched by a neck from Dagny (Darci Brahma) with another import Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock) a long-neck back in third. (photos Steve Hart).
"He is a very nice horse," Schofield said.
"He hasn't raced for a long time, but he wasn't fretting, he wasn't stressed. He didn't worry about anything.
"He just wanted to lay in when I'm sure he was getting a little bit tired towards the finish, but he showed a great turn of speed. "He beat some horses that have been racing strongly and he carried the big weight and went straight past them."
The son of Pivotal was making his first start since finishing sixth in the Group II Prix Dollar (2000m) at Chantilly in September last year. That followed a brave second to the outstanding Frankel colt Cracksman in the Prix Niel over 2400 metres on the same track earlier that month.
Previously-trained by Andre Fabre, Avilius (GB) won a 2400m maiden at Chantilly and the Listed Prix de Suresnes (2000m) at Maisons-Laffitte last April, Avilius also owns placing in the Group II Prix Eugene Adam and the Group II Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.
He landed in Australia in April and was gelded before being sent to continue his career under James Cummings.
A brother to Group II Prix Guillaume d'Ornano winner Saint Baudolino, Avilius is out of the winning Sunday Silence mare Alessandria whose dam Tereshkova (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner and one season shuttler Lycius (USA).
