Viridine again belied his inexperience to claim Saturday's opener at Rosehill
Viridine and Rory Hutchings maintained their winning combination at Rosehill as the promising Godolphin colt opened his career with back-to-back victories.
A fortnight after the duo recorded significant success on the same track, Viridine again belied his inexperience to claim Saturday’s card-opening John Miller Hall Of Fame Handicap (1200m).
Viridine ($3.40) improved from fourth at the 400m mark and stormed home to beat filly Pendeloque ($10) by a short neck.
Charlie Chap ($13) surged home from last entering the home straight to flash home and snatch third, a long neck further back.
“That was an improvement from last time but he’s still doing plenty wrong,” Hutchings said.
“He just didn’t really know how to attack the line.
“I had to put the stick in the right hand and give him a couple.
“He was still pulling up then.
“He wanted to wander a little bit but had another horse come up next to him; I still had plenty underneath me, I think.”
Hutchings had Viridine to thank for his first win for Godolphin on May 6 and believes the two-year-old has more to come.
“He’s still very new but he’s got a lot of raw ability,” he said.
“It would be nice to see a strongly run race and see how he reacts then.”
That scenario is unlikely to unfold until spring with Godolphin stable spokesman Paul Reid indicating Viridine would head to the paddock.
“We’ve always had an opinion of him and we’ve given him plenty of time, that’s why he started so late in the season,” Reid said.
“He’ll probably go for a little break and we’ll see where he ends up in the spring.
“He’s still doing a lot wrong but he’s getting away with it.
“He’s still learning.”
