Aethelwulf, under the confident guidance of star jockey Zac Lloyd, effortlessly conquered his rivals to win the Merrylands RSL Handicap (2000m).
The four-year-old stayer has now amassed four wins from five starts this season, each triumph secured by considerable margins. His campaign commenced with a maiden victory at Newcastle by over five lengths, followed by decisive wins of six-and-a-half lengths, six-and-a-half lengths, and two-and-a-quarter lengths in his subsequent races.
In reality, Aethelwulf’s winning margin at Rosehill could have been extended, but Lloyd chose not to push the stayer, who evidently had a clear advantage over the field.
Trainer Matthew Smith has indicated that a plausible progression for Aethelwulf this campaign involves moving from a Newcastle maiden to the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
“Aethelwulf may get there (The Metropolitan), we might go to the Newcastle Cup first,” Smith said. “If he gets through that then why not?”
Aethelwulf ($1.35 favourite) delivered a performance befitting an odds-on favourite, cruising to victory well ahead of Anthracite ($7.50). Kenmare Bay ($15) finished a length further back in third.
Lloyd, who has ridden Aethelwulf in his last three starts for three dominant wins, described the stayer as a “super exciting horse”.
“Aethelwulf is still very raw and will be a better horse in six to 12 months but he can’t be doing much better than he is now,” Lloyd said.
“He won easily and is a natural stayer. He pulls up very clean-winded, his breathing is very clear.”.
Aethelwulf’s impressive performance at Rosehill today has seen him firm into $6 equal favouritism for The Metropolitan, sharing the top spot with King Of The Sea, another highly-regarded stayer.
Smith commented that Aethelwulf’s rapid development this winter had been somewhat unexpected.
“We were hoping he would do that today but you never know,” Smith said.
“He’s a pretty unassuming horse at home, he’s a lazy trackworker but he’s switched on come raceday.
“It was good to see him step up in grade today and once he learns his craft he could be very good.
“I feel 2000m and beyond will be his trip as he has a massive stride, he has the biggest stride in my stable, but it’s a big, easy, loping stride, very economical.”
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