Exosphere Goes Into Orbit In Roman Consul

Exosphere could not have won any easier in the Group Two Canterbury BMW Roman Consul Stakes over six furlongs at Royal Randwick, Australia on Saturday, October 3.

The three-year-old Lonhro colt, trained by John O'Shea and ridden by James McDonald, is now three from three this season.

He is being aimed at the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on October 31 and the Group One Darley Classic, both over six furlongs, at the same venue on November 7.

Exosphere was restrained after the start and raced second last of the 10 runners before making some progress on the outside turning in.

He produced a mighty run in the straight and led inside the final furlong, going clear before being eased in the closing stages to win very impressively by three and a quarter lengths from Zoutenant in race record time of 1m 8.52s on good ground.

John O'Shea said: "At the half-mile I thought, hang on a minute, he's got a bit of work to do.

"James must have been pretty confident because he just never moved on him.

"Exosphere went past the opposition as if they were standing still. It was a sensational performance and he ran a good time to win so I was really happy with him.

"It is just a pleasure to train a horse like that. We were very excited to bring him to the races today because we knew he'd improved since the Golden Rose and he's justified our belief in him."

James McDonald enthused: "Simply breathtaking.

"Exosphere is one out of the box and that's what we all wake up for, to sit on these kind of horses. He's flying.

"This horse has given them 10 lengths start and picked them up in three strides, it was an incredible win and the world's his oyster.

"I can't wait to get back on him, I cherish every moment I get with him as obviously he's a colt and will eventually have stud duties but he's a proper colt."