No longer a Group 1 virgin, Pericles delivered a gritty performance to secure his maiden elite win in Saturday’s $750,000 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

The frustration of half a dozen Group 1 minor placings—a Futurity Stakes second from two years back among them—dissipated as the hardy six-year-old by Street Boss triumphed on his 32nd top-level start.

Bjorn Baker assumed control of Pericles from James Cummings after the latter left his Godolphin position midway through the previous campaign, and Godolphin Australia GM Andy Makiv called the Group 1 conquest a deeply gratifying milestone.

“It’s amazingly satisfying, he’s been a fabulous horse, he’s a home-bred off Northwood Park, the stud here in Victoria, by our fantastic stallion Street Boss, so for him to achieve Group 1 glory is wonderful for so many people,” Makiv said.

“It’s been a great journey and I’m really pleased for all the team and pleased for Bjorn. It’s great.”

Pericles’ other notable seconds came in the 2024 Futurity Stakes, Doncaster Mile, Rosehill Guineas and the Champions Mile from the year before, ahead of this weekend.

The gelding earned second in 2023’s $10m Golden Eagle and has collected Group 1 thirds via the Epsom Handicap and Underwood Stakes.

Futurity Stakes specialist Craig Williams produced a sharp ride on Pericles, landing the success that elevated his stakes to within a whisker of $7 million.

Starting positively, Williams took a trailing position as Evaporate and Treasurethe Moment contested the front before launching a devastating turn of foot to lead at the 50m mark.

The $5.50 hope extended the margin late on, scoring three-quarters of a length ahead of $31 longshot Buckaroo—who threaded the eye of the needle inside to pip favourite Treasurethe Moment ($1.90), who had bolted at 250m but stopped—for runner-up.

“Coming into the autumn when Mr Brightside was not going to be here, I said, ‘I need a replacement’,” Williams said.

“It’s not easy to fill those shoes, so I got in touch with Bjorn Baker.

It looks like he’s gone to another level in the spring. To win a Group 1, well done to all the team behind them and their patience.”

This marked Williams’ sixth Futurity Stakes success and third in succession post his Mr Brightside doubles, two off Roy Higgins’ eight-win benchmark in the event.

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