Global Weekly Review: Prolific set to live up to his name

Reports that a willing two-year-old son of Bernardini in the current crop trained by Mike Stidham possessed above-average talent proved accurate when Prolific made a winning debut in Godolphin colours at Belmont Park at the weekend.

It is one thing to have the ability, but quite another to produce it, on cue, at a first run in public. This colt is professional in all that he does, and clearly destined for major juvenile races before the season ends.

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin America, said: "He is quick and willing. He has an excellent attitude and is a very nice prospect".

Prolific, who shipped to New York from Fair Hill, looked a natural athlete as he broke well from the gate under Irad Ortiz Jnr and made all to beat Gravitating by one length, with Victory Lane third, in a Special Weights Maiden, over six and a half furlongs.

On another important weekend of international racing, this was encouraging evidence that Godolphin juveniles in America are appearing on the racetrack ready and able to make their mark.

Meanwhile, at Laurel Park, the Tom Albertrani-trained Always Thinking took the Listed Sensible Lady Turf Dash, over six furlongs, looking particularly effective on the turf surface. She set a track record time of 1:07.68 in recording her first Stakes victory.

It was perhaps inevitable on such a busy weekend on the global scene that a couple of old topics emerged for re-discussion. One was the suggestion that older horses should be permitted to compete in the G1 Doncaster St Leger, while the other touched on the notion that Winx is finding it too easy in Australia and should ship overseas to find credible rivals.

I must point out that the St Leger arguments were trotted out before the final Classic took place. All points of contention were put on hold, I am sure, after Capri won a thrilling battle with Crystal Ocean and Stradivarius in an epic running of the three-year-old long-distance race.

Gold Cup winners, and a few Melbourne Cup contenders, will come out of the event, that is for certain.

As for Winx, and the fact that she 'toys' with her rivals to the point of appearing arrogant, let her have a crack at the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28, before dispatching her on overseas duty.

She is very special, and there is something a little more complex and demanding to landing races over middle-distances than sprints. All Sydney racegoers should make a point of seeing Winx at least once more before she heads to Melbourne for her biggest challenge in a few weeks.