Microphone switched on as Darley dominates Flemington juvenile

Godolphin produced a couple of glittering G1 Blue Diamond Stakes prospects in a juvenile race in which Darley was also well to the fore at Flemington, Australia, on Saturday, 12 January.

Microphone, a first-starter by Exceed And Excel from the Anabaa mare Sung staged a determined performance to win the ungraded Arbour Plate by a nose, with his stablemate Auxin, another son of Exceed And Excel, in third place.

Splitting them was the filly Pretty Brazen a $700,000 yearling purchase by Darley’s successful young stallion Brazen Beau.

Microphone’s dam is a sister to the G1 winner Yell whose dam Vocalist has had eight winners from her 10 foals to race.

After showing a lot of coltish tendencies in the pre-race parade, he was on his best behaviour from the moment jockey Dwayne Dunn mounted up.

He then showed good speed to lead the grandstand side runners, snatching victory from the speedy Pretty Brazen in the final stride.

The win continued a strong showing by Godolphin’s Australian stable in early season juvenile races which have also revealed such talented youngsters as Tassort, a son of Brazen Beau who was a five-length debut winner and is favourite for the G1 Golden Slipper.

Assistant trainer Kate Grimwade said trainer James Cummings and the stable would now evaluate the likelihood of Microphone and Auxin running in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, 23 February.

“I’m sure James will give it plenty of thought. It was a very good performance today after he was a bit full of himself in the parade,” Grimwade said.