Godolphin and Moreira combined to score a win in the Schweppervescence Trophy
Godolphin trainer John O’Shea chose the right option with Circular, which has collected a stakes victory at Flemington.
The head trainer for the international racing giant elected on the easier option of the Group Three Schweppervescence Trophy (1600m) on Saturday rather than the Group One Coolmore Classic at Rosehill.
The four-year-old was given a beautiful ride by Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira, who landed his first winner in the famous all blue colours.
Sent out the $3.60 favourite with Sportsbet, Circular held on to score by a nose from the fast finishing Zasorceress ($17) with the early leader Miss Rose De Lago ($5) holding on for third, three-quarters-of-a-length away.
Moreira took advantage of barrier one and came around just one horse in the straight.
It was Moreira’s intention to have Circular a bit closer to the speed as earlier winners were those racing on the speed.
“We had that in mind as well but they went a bit fast for her and she settled further back than what we thought she would,” Moreira said.
“She had a beautiful run through. I just had to go around one horse and when I asked her to go she did.
“For me to be winning in these colours is such a pleasure.
“I’ve never ridden a winner for them before so it couldn’t be any better.”
Godolphin assistant-trainer Billy Jackson Stops said a decision on Circular’s immediate future would be left to O’Shea.
“There was a moment we were thinking of running her up there in the Coolmore but John decided this was going to be an easier race,” Jackson Stops said.
“He had this aim for her third up and she gets better the further into her prep she goes.”
