Cardinal Virtue ran third in the Group I Galaxy (1100m) at his last race start
at Randwick in April last year before heading west to begin a stud career.The son of Elusive Quality (USA) (pictured) served 22 mares according to the Australian Studbook at Waterford Stud in WA before the stallion returned to Rosehill trainer David Payne's stable for another sprinting preparation, which began with a second to Beaded in a 900-metre trial hit-out.
Managing part-owner, Australian Bloodstock co-founder Luke Murrell said Cardinal Virtue had thrived in his breeding environment, which prompted connections to give the six-year-old another crack at winning an elusive Group I race.
"He retired really sound but he was just doing too well in the west to leave him there so we decided to bring him back over for another preparation," Murrell said.
"He has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few weeks and he looks terrific.
"We'll probably take him down to Melbourne for the sprint handicaps like the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap, where he will still get a relatively light weight."
