Godolphin trio out to raid Brisbane carnival coffers

Stable stalwart Avilius will be leading the charge for Sheikh Mohammed’s team at Doomben.

He isn’t the best horse to have sported Godolphin’s famous royal blue silks in Australia but Avilius continues to be a prized member of James Cummings’ team.

The seasoned seven-year-old will spearhead the trainer’s Brisbane winter carnival assault on Saturday when he chases his fourth Group 1 win in the Doomben Cup (2000m).

Following placings in the Chipping Norton and George Ryder Stakes, Avilius was a fine fifth to stablemate Cascadian in the Doncaster Mile before again closing late for fourth to Saturday’s rival Zaaki in the Hollindale Stakes.

Cummings is justifiably proud of the gelding and expects another bold effort.

“He continues to perform at the elite level,” Cummings said.

“He has won almost 30 per cent of his races and more than $3.6 million in prize money.

“This campaign has seen him place in two Group Ones and arguably, (be) unlucky in the three he has contested.

“Saturday’s distance will suit and his trackwork and demeanour suggest he is a happy, healthy racehorse.”

Avilius will be one of three stakes runners for Godolphin at Doomben, along with Ranier in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) and Varda in the Listed Chief De Beers (1110m).

Fifth from a wide draw in last year’s Stradbroke Handicap, Ranier resumed with a second to Splintex during the Sydney autumn carnival and boasts a handy second-up record.

“His second-up and distance stats read well for 1350 metres at Doomben,” Cummings said.

Varda has also been pleasing the team and she does boast a victory over subsequent Group One winner Masked Crusader on a heavy track at Randwick last winter.