Pericles claims G1 breakthrough as Cinsault lands G2 Millie Fox Stakes

Pericles secured a deserved breakthrough at the highest level when taking the G1 Futurity Stakes over 1,400m at Caulfield on Saturday, 21 February, while Cinsault maintained her outstanding form with victory in the G2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

A multiple Group winner, Pericles stepped to G1 company with authority, settling just off the speed under Craig Williams before finishing strongly from fourth on the home turn to defeat Buckaroo and Treasurethe Moment.

Trained by Bjorn Baker, the homebred son of Street Boss recorded his eighth career win, alongside 12 placings from 32 starts, with earnings of $6,979,365.

Godolphin Australia Managing Director Andy Makiv was delighted with the result.

“Amazingly satisfying, he’s been a fabulous horse,” Makiv told Racing.com.

“He's a home-bred off Northwood Park, the stud here in Victoria by our fantastic stallion Street Boss.

“So for him to achieve G1 glory is wonderful for so many people and he's just been a great horse, near on $7 million prize-money, so fabulous.”

Makiv said the decision to transfer Pericles to Baker had proven the right move.

“I had a feeling he’d suit Bjorn,” Makiv said.

“It's been a great journey and really pleased for all the team and pleased for Bjorn. It's great.”

Pericles is now likely to clash with Tom Kitten in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington.

“I suspect they'll be running in the same race at Flemington, so they'll both get their chance,” Makiv said.

“May the best horse win, or hopefully one of them wins - so obviously it'll be a tough race and great to see this horse join the G1 company.”

Earlier at Rosehill, Cinsault secured her first Stakes victory. Settling behind the pace under Chad Schofield, she took control in the straight and fought strongly to defeat Lazzura by a head, with Dark Glitter 2.5 lengths away in third.

“She’s a very good horse Lazzura, so to fight her off the way she did was incredibly gutsy,” Schofield said.

“She’s in unbelievable form, she’s won five of her last six.

“Really well placed by Michael and Godolphin, I’m glad I could deliver some Black-Type success.”

Victory was the consistent four-year-old’s fifth win, with eight placings, from 14 starts, and her third since joining the Michael Freedman yard.

“She’s in a rich vein of form,”  said Michael.

“She doesn’t know how to get beaten.”

Godolphin finished the day at Rosehill on a high note when Kerguelen won the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap over 1,100m, with Tonkin finishing a close second.