Lightly raced three-year-old Polyglot has taken the first step towards vindicating Godolphin’s difficult decision to geld him with a solid winning return at Rosehill, setting himself up for a potential black-type raid.
A son of champion Lonhro and grandson of 2007 Golden Slipper winner Forensics, Polyglot was having his first start since undergoing a gelding procedure, turning in a tradesman-like performance to claim his second win in the Precise Air Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.
“We had a decision to make, we were faced with it last preparation. We’re comfortable with that and we think we have unlocked the potential of a smart horse,” trainer James Cummings said.
“First run as a gelding and he has run well.”
Cummings believes the surgery has helped Polyglot turn the corner and will consider giving him a chance to prove it in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 8.
“We’ll reflect on the ratings after his win today. There is a handicap for three and four-year-olds in a couple of weeks, or if we want to step him up, we could go to the Eskimo Prince in three weeks,” he said.
“We will make that decision in the next week. But I like the way he has returned.”
Like most of the Godolphin string, Polyglot is well named, the three-year-old being out of Shamardal mare Wordcraft, his moniker meaning a person who knows how to use several languages.
“If he keeps winning like that, he will be speaking our language,” Cummings quipped.
Ridden by James Mcdonald, Polyglot ($1.70 fav) had 1-1/2 lengths to spare over Rantan ($10) with Winchester ($6.50) another neck away third.
David Payne likewise has stakes hopes for his filly Shohisha ($3.30 fav), who went one better than her first-up second in the Listed Gosford Guineas to comfortably account for the older horses in the Midway Handicap (1200m).
Having just her fourth start, the three-year-old defeated Lady Extreme ($5) by 1-3/4 lengths and Payne is keen to give her another shot at black-type company with the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 15 among the options.
“Maybe one more run in a Group race, then we might tip her out again. She is still not one hundred per cent furnished,” Payne said.
“She is an above-average filly. She showed me that from day one and she has a bright future.”
