Godolphin colt Paulele has laid the foundation for an autumn carnival campaign after taking his record to two wins from as many starts with a professional display at Randwick.
Assistant trainer Darren Beadman says the Dawn Approach youngster ranks among their top echelon of two-year-olds and will be given the chance to progress to better races.
“He’s in our top ten,” Beadman said.
“This colt is a very adaptable, athletic horse. He might have got a bit ‘warm’ before the race, which might have (taken) a bit of energy off him, but he has won well.”
After scoring in a Moonee Valley race which has proven to be an outstanding form reference in recent seasons, Paulele was again a class above his rivals in Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1200m).
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Paulele mustered speed to take up the running and was strong to the line.
“He was able to control the speed and when Kerrin asked him for an effort he really hit the line nice,” Beadman said.
“He took advantage of gate one and the rail. That’s a big advantage to two-year-olds and he is a very versatile colt being able to go left and right at such an early stage of his career.
“That (Moonee Valley) race over the past three years has produced horses like Yes Yes Yes and Written By and I think there was another good one there as well so it might not be a bad race.
“Hopefully he can step up to the plate and go on to bigger and better things.”
A market drifter from $1.95 to start a $2.10 favourite, Paulele scored by 1-3/4 lengths over debutant Zarastro ($5) with Forzanini ($10) another length away.
McEvoy said the James Cummings-trained youngster’s effort to be undefeated in two states was no mean feat.
“As James said on the way to the races, it’s not easy for horses to win over 1000 metres at The Valley and come up to Sydney and win over 1200 at Randwick,” McEvoy said.
“He’s obviously got some nice ability under the hood.”
Coastwatch was eased out of the race by James McDonald and stewards later reported he was galloped on and also pulled up with heart arrhythmia.
