Facile Win for Avilius in Tancred Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

Some of the greats of the turf have their name on the Group 1 Tancred Stakes honour board and even though Saturday's field at Rosehill Gardens was far from vintage, Avilius (GB) treated his opponents with contempt to keep his record in Sydney at a perfect five for five.


Avilius wins the Tancred Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.

The 5yo son of Pivotal has been one of the finds of the season adding a second Group 1 to his win in the Ranvet Stakes seven days previously.

Halfway through the running on Saturday it looked like it could go pear-shaped when James McDonald found himself short of room but once he found some clear air, Avilius (GB) gathered in the leaders with the greatest of ease and received little more than a hand ride over the last 200 metres to win by two and a quarter lengths eased up over Big Duke (IRE) with Rondinella a half-neck back in third.

The winner of a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte back in 2017, the Godolphin colour-bearer has won four Group III's, a Group II and two Group 1's with earnings of over $2.7 million since he had his first run in Australia in August last year.

Trainer James Cummings indicated that may be it for this autumn and is unlikely to take on Winx in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

"More than likely we knew he'd be in the paddock after this. He still holds a nomination in the Queen Elizabeth but in my opinion I'll put him in a paddock now, the preparation he's had has been magnificent," Cummings said.

"As careful as a trainer has to be about being arrogant coming into a big race meeting, his effort today was imperious. He's a serious horse and fully fit his last two starts he's proven his weight-for-age capabilities. He's had a $1.5million canter around Rosehill.

"Regardless of the great week he's had I looked at the horse this morning and I just felt like he was stronger, he was better than last week and it was going to take horrible bias or some sort of tragedy to happen to pull him up.

"He just swept to the lead beautifully in this weight for age race like a proper weight for age horse. What he was able to do there was demonstrate the natural speed and strength that he's got."

McDonald was having his first ride on the gelding.

"I shouldn't get paid for that one," McDonald joked.

"I know what all the fuss is about with him now. What a super horse, push-button. He's a credit to the team, they've kept backing him up and they can see he's backing up really well

"He's a super horse, got a great turn of foot, loves the ground and he's a pleasure to ride."

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).


Advertisment
More Reading...
Best On Breeding
Born in 1993, Cheveley Park’s Pivotal maybe in his twilight years however it’s doubtful that his influence has ever been higher.
A Family Affair - Russian Camelot Filly Salutes at Sandown
Danny O’Brien enjoyed Group I success with outstanding colt Russian Camelot (IRE), so was understandably excited to produce his first metropolitan winner as a sire at Sandown on Wednesday and Censori comes from a family that he knows inside and out.
2025 Cox Plate Entries – Who are the 3YO Cox Plate Dreamers?
108 entries have been received for the 2025 Group I MVRC Cox Plate (2040m) to be run on October 25 with a galaxy of stars that include 11 overseas contenders and a group of new season 3YO’s.
Extremely Good Week!
It’s been a memorable week for Star Thoroughbreds having sold their multiple Group winning mare Olentia for $2.6million and then the purple and white stars were back in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by 3YO Extreme Choice colt Estremo.
Snitzel’s Tyreek Too Good On Debut At Canterbury
Off the back of two unbeaten trial performances, it was no surprise to see the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Tyreek (Snitzel) start well in the money on debut before the 3yo gelding was simply too good for his rivals, winning the TAB Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday at Canterbury.
First Foal for Golden Mile – Now a Gelding
The Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas has been won in recent years by colts that have gone on to become some of our most exciting young sires - The Autumn Sun, Super Seth and Ole Kirk, but for the 2022 winner Golden Mile that path is not an option.
First Foal for Hilal Delights Grangewilliam Stud
The first foal by Grangewilliam Stud’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One performer Hilal arrived on Thursday morning with a filly born out of the well-related No Nay Never mare La Frox.
Avilius Bounces Back in Ranvet Stakes
After disappointing in the Australian Cup, Godolphin's import Avilius (GB) kept his unbeaten record in Sydney intact with a dominant performance in Saturday's Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
Racing’s Night of Champions August 28
45 of the top horses in Australia will be recognised for outstanding performances during the 2024/2025 racing season at Racing’s Night of Champions.
One To Watch – Sandown
Fourth on debut behind the promising San Giovanni, who has since won again, the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Written Tycoon colt Duke Atreides was sent south to Victoria with instant success.