The Euphrates, a former charge of Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, made a significant impression in his second start for Tulloch Lodge, achieving an impressive all-the-way victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Displaying superior staying power, The Euphrates maintained a strong gallop, stopping the clock at a rapid 2m 0.48s for the 2000m. This time is considered one of the fastest ever recorded at Randwick and was only slightly slower than the long-standing course record of 2m 0.30s set by Hampton Court in 2013.
Co-trainer Bott indicated that he was not surprised by the convincing nature of The Euphrates’ win.
“To be honest, I would have been disappointed if he didn’t win today – he’s a very, very good horse,” Bott said.
“He put the writing on the wall with a great return over the mile (fourth in the Chelmsford Stakes) earlier this month and he backed that up today,” Bott said.
“The Metropolitan has always been the plan but we have been thinking further ahead.
“The big picture is the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup with him. He has two mile form in Europe and certainly stays the trip at a higher level, and he showed that today.”
Ridden by Tim Clark, The Euphrates ($5) led from start to finish, comfortably fending off his rivals to win by close to a length from Juja Kibo ($7). The favourite, Soul Of Spain ($3.90), finished a length behind in third.
Clark reported that despite the quick tempo and fast overall time, The Euphrates gave the impression he was racing comfortably.
“He has been off the scene for such a long time but he ran pretty well first-up and credit to Gai and Adrian who were able to put the ground work into him that he could still bounce off that and not put in a flat run,” Clark said.
“He is starting to get out to a distance range that suits him now. He galloped all the way through the line and was last to pull up.
“We’ve seen so many imports come to Australia, especially with Gai and Adrian, just put that speed into their legs. He has that great stamina and I look forward when he gets over further.”
The six-year-old gelding, a son of the undefeated Frankel, who achieved a Timeform rating of 147, has added to the impressive record of Waterhouse and Bott with the stallion’s progeny, following Group 1 winners Sir Delius and Converge.
The Euphrates’ previous record included four wins from 13 starts for O’Brien, including the Listed Marble City Stake, and a fourth in the Group 1 Irish St Leger behind champion Kyprios and Vauban. He had not raced for almost two years before his Chelmsford Stakes return.
His victory in the Kingston Town Stakes confirms his strong return to racing.
“He will go to The Metropolitan next run and the further we get with him the better,” Bott said.
“Today was a dominant performance, it was great to see him stick it out as well as he did.
“He hasn’t been racing for two years so I would like to think there is further improvement to come.
“He has that brilliant tactical speed, that cruising speed, and that ability to sustain it which is going to open up some great staying feature races for him.”
The Euphrates has subsequently firmed to $5 second favouritism for the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3. He is behind Aethelwulf ($3), the winner of the Newcastle Gold Cup on Friday.
Carrying 52.5kg for the Group 1 $6.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 and 54kg for the Group 1 $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3, The Euphrates remains eligible for handicap penalties in both major races. Those interested in the Caulfield Cup can find competitive racing betting markets from various online bookmakers.
