Antelucan And Alucinari Score Stakes Wins

The fillies Antelucan and Alucinari flew the flag for Godolphin in Australia with convincing stakes victories, thousands of kilometres apart on Saturday, May 14.

On a program that included another G1 Derby placing for the consistent young stayer Etymology, Antelucan (John O'Shea/Craig Williams) maintained the resurgence in her form, outclassing a strong line-up in the Listed Adelaide Guineas at Morphettville, South Australia.

"She's shown the ability we knew she had at her last two starts and today she established herself as a genuine, stakes-class filly. We'll have a good look at what might be ahead of her, she's opened up some more options now," said trainer John O'Shea.

Antelucan was assisted by a copybook ride from Craig Williams who had also won on the daughter of Domesday at Caulfield in Melbourne on her previous start, and who noted the filly had made good improvement since then.

"I loved her mannerisms when I sat on her during the week, she was a lot easier to control in her work, clearly her attitude, her confidence and her performance is starting to step up."

Antelucan took control at the 300m and held off Whirlpool and Lahqa to score by a length.

Also in Adelaide, Etymology (John O'Shea/Ben Melham) ran one of his best races to finish second to Howard Be Thy Name in the G1 South Australian Derby, having also been runner-up in the G1 Victoria Derby last October.

"He's found one better again but he was very honest and very genuine. He's run in three Derbies now and has performed to his best in all of them," O'Shea said.

At Scone in New South Wales, Alucinari (John O'Shea/James McDonald) came from a long way back to narrowly win the Listed Denise's Joy Stakes, a victory described by assistant trainer Darren Beadman as a reward for the persistence and patience of the Australian team.

"John (O'Shea) recognised that she would benefit from a patient, gentle approach and it has taken time, a lot of kindness has gone into getting her to this point," Beadman said.

Also at Scone, the O'Shea-trained two year-old fillies Raiment and Nonpareil finished second and third respectively in the Listed Woodlands Stakes while in Brisbane their stablemate Souchez finished third in the G2 Champagne Classic at Doomben.