Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Steve Hart
Avilius has found winning form at his third spring start in taking out the Group One George Main Stakes

Avilius has reaffirmed his status as one of the country’s premier weight-for-age stars and put himself back in the Cox Plate frame with a devastating win in the Group One George Main Stakes at Randwick.

Godolphin head trainer James Cummings admitted it was a relief to see the horse return to the sort of form that delivered him back-to-back Group One victories in the autumn after two inconclusive conditioning runs in leader-dominated races.

The brilliance of his George Main win over the Randwick mile has given Godolphin some food for thought with the Cox Plate again looming large after they initially believed he may have returned more dour.

“That was a Cox Plate effort today,” Cummings said.

“His first up runs so far this preparation demonstrated that he was more a Caulfield Cup horse, so we’ve got some thinking to do.

“But this is the demonstration of a horse that is well and truly back and firing.”

Kerrin McEvoy settled Avilius towards the rear of the field with Samadoubt taking up his customary frontrunning role, although he wasn’t able to dictate as decisively as he had when winning the Winx and Chelmsford Stakes.

Dreamforce, well backed from $4.80 to start $4.20, stalked the leader and shot to the front in the straight but McEvoy and Avilius ($3.10 fav) set their sights on him and ran him down comfortably to score a runaway 2-1/4 length win.

Happy Clapper ($5) looked a spent force turning for home but rallied for third another 1-1/4 lengths in arrears.

Cummings was unsure of immediate plans for Avilius but said the Turnbull Stakes was an option.

“Great ride from Kerrin to be sweeping into the race off the back of that sort of pressure and I think the horse is well and truly on the path we needed to see him on,” Cummings said.

Nash Rawiller was happy with the effort of Dreamforce and said he thought he was on the winner halfway up the straight.

“He went to the front at the furlong like the winner, but full credit to the winner he put him to the sword,” Rawiller said.

Happy Clapper ran his usual honest race and trainer Pat Webster will give him a barrier trial before his next scheduled start in the Craven Plate (2000m) on Everest day, ruling out an Epsom Handicap berth.

“He probably just needs 2000 metres now on that run,” Webster said.

“The Epsom is definitely out now he’s got 59 and a half kilograms.”

Chris Waller was satisfied with the effort of Verry Elleegant, who raced handier than expected and fought right to the line for fourth, saying the tempo of the race didn’t suit the mare.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
What are you prepared to lose today?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au