On a day that also featured two stable “quinellas”, it was Buick and It’s Somewhat who scored the biggest success, taking out the G2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill.
On only the second day of his latest Australian riding stint, Buick produced a gem to get It’s Somewhat home just ahead of New Tipperary.
Buick made all his ground along the fence, hitting the lead 100m out and fighting strongly to the line.
“This is a really honest horse … the further we went, the better he went,” Buick said.
Trainer John O’Shea is likely to seek a G1 victory for the six-year-old in Brisbane later in the year following a win today that took his racetrack earnings to almost A$1-million.
“Ultimately, I’d like to get him to the Doomben Cup,” O’Shea said.
“He ran fourth in it last year and I’m planning to get him there on fresher legs this time.”
O’Shea also expressed his gratitude at having Buick in Sydney as a replacement for James Doyle who is out of action after injuring a hand and knee in a fall last month.
Buick opened his account at Rosehill with success on the French import Spectroscope who was having his first run for O’Shea in the ungraded Schweppes Handicap.
“William rode him beautifully,” O’Shea said.
“We’re honoured that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has sent him down here.”
#TeamGodolphin enjoyed 6 winners in #Australia today headed by #ItsSomewhat in the G2 Ajax Stakes @Rosehillgardens https://t.co/ZgWZWZHw3f
— Godolphin (@godolphin) March 11, 2017
The Group-race double was completed by the progressive filly Circular claimed her first black-type success in the G3 Shweppervescence Trophy.
Ridden by Hong Kong’s champion jockey Joao Moreira, Circular lasted by a nose to beat Zasorceress.
Assistant trainer Billy Jackson Stops gave credit for the win to the team effort that had seen Circular pass through Godolphin’s Osborne Park and Crown Lodge stables in Sydney before coming to Carbine Lodge at Flemington.
“She’s benefitted from getting the best of all the expertise that’s available,” Jackson Stops said.
“We’d thought about running her in the G1 mares race in Sydney but John decided this was her level and she’s done everything right to get over the line.”
The remaining winners came at Newcastle where the stable featured in the unusual situation of one of its runners being awarded a race on protest from another Godolphin runner.
Obscura had crossed the line a half-length clear of Istria, but had veered left over the final 100m and taken the running of its stablemate. After an inquiry, stewards duly awarded the race to Istria.
Earlier on the card the Godolphin pair Florid and Ataraxia fought out the finish of the Two-Year-Old Maiden, with the former gaining the verdict.
The remaining winner at Newcastle, and the sixth for the day for Godolphin and O’Shea, was Vigilance in the Class 2 Handicap.
