Paulele second in G3 keeps spring hopes alive

A hard-fought second placing by Paulele in a high-class G3 San Domenico Stakes at Kembla Grange on Saturday, 28 August has done no harm to the colt’s spring prospects.

On a day when the Godolphin and Australian head trainer James Cummings registered three Stakes placings, Paulele’s close second to In The Congo confirmed his 3YO campaign remains on track.

The colt, a brilliant winner first-up at his previous run, settled down second last of the six runners and produced at the 300m where he set out after In The Congo, finishing off in a style that suggested he’ll be well-suited over further than the 1,100m of the San Domenico.

Among those behind him was the G1 Golden Slipper winner of last autumn, Stay Inside.

Another of Godolphin’s strong band of 3YOs, the filly Heresy, turned in a solid effort to finish third to Bruckner in the G3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.

Having only her fourth start, Heresy came from near last entering the short Caulfield straight to join the leaders just short of the line before being beaten in a three-way photo behind Bruckner and Artorius.

The former French runner Ziegfeld had to overcome a wide gate in a big field in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes and did well to finish second to No Effort.

A Listed winner in France, Ziegfeld has improved at each of his five Australian starts and can be expected to make his presence felt in similar races during the spring.