Godolphin three-year-old makes it four wins in a row winning the Listed Queensland Day Stakes

Rising young sprinter Athelric could be set for feature races in Sydney and Melbourne later this year after he ventured to Eagle Farm in Brisbane on Saturday, 4 June, to win his fourth race in five starts this preparation.

After scoring at Warwick Farm in March and April, Athelric made it a hat-trick at the Scone metropolitan meeting last month.

With champion jockey Hugh Bowman in the saddle on Saturday, the three-year-old graduated to black-type level with aplomb when beating Arentee and Ingratiating in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes over 1,200m.

Godolphin head trainer James Cummings was impressed and indicated the gelding may now be given another Queensland assignment before going for a well-earned spell.

“Great credit to Athelric, he put himself into the race and ran a strong 1,200m considering the work he did early,” Cummings said.

“The way the race panned out in the end, it was advantage to Athelric.

“He  was able to use that gate speed and that early tactical pace that he’s got.

“He’s been a very progressive three-year-old since we gelded him and was absolutely flying in Sydney.”

The win took Athelric’s record to five wins and two placings from 14 starts for prize money of $391,530.

“Not many horses wins three straight in Sydney, it takes a Stakes horse to do that,” Cummings said.

“We identified this race as one that would suit him and he’s delivered, he’s got up and run a strong six furlongs.

“I’ll keep my options open with Athelric, maybe I’ll freshen him up and run him one more time up here.

“But he’s going to be a beautiful four-year-old sprinter, a progressive horse next season.”

Bowman agreed with the trainer and predicted even better race wins were ahead.

“Athelric was really dominant winning at Scone, showed a lot of courage that day,” Bowman said.

“It was an awkward draw (nine) today but his speed overcame that and he travelled superbly for me outside the leader.

“Athelric felt the presence of the other horse (Arentee) and he really lifted himself and made me look good.

“He’s an improving horse and he’s got a beautiful temperament, it’s all up from here for him.”