A new Golden Slipper prospect claimed a place among the Godolphin candidates for the world's richest two-year-old race when Telperion scored a convincing win in the Listed Lonhro Plate at Randwick on Saturday, February 13.
A new Golden Slipper prospect claimed a place among the Godolphin candidates for the world's richest two-year-old race when Telperion scored a convincing win in the Listed Lonhro Plate at Randwick on Saturday, February 13.
The colt who has always held a place among the better juveniles in the Australian stable came from last in the small field to score a clinical but convincing victory that justified the regard in which he is held by trainer John O'Shea.
"He's a lovely big, strong colt who has always shown us a lot," O'Shea said.
"We came here today expecting him to run well and hasn't let us down.
"He probably got to the front a little soon with the small field and wandered around a little bit. But that's no cause for concern."
Telperion settled last of the five runners with his rider James McDonald content to stay there until turning for home.
With 400m to run, McDonald allowed the colt to stride forward and, if anything, his progress was too swift.
After taking control, the son of Street Cry maintained his superiority to the line where he held a length-and-a-quarter advantage.
McDonald said the improvement Telperion had made from his only other start last October until his latest appearance had been impressive.
"He always been one of the better two-year-olds in the stable, but he's got stronger since the spring and I'd say he's now up among the best," McDonald said.
While the $3.5 million G1 Golden Slipper run over 1200m at Rosehill on March 19 is now on Telperion's agenda, he may be better suited by the extra distance of the G1 Sires Produce Stakes or the G1 Champagne Stakes.
O'Shea said a decision could wait until the colt runs next in the G2 Skyline Stakes at Warwick Farm on February 27.
