Paulele broke through for a maiden Group 1 at his ninth attempt with a heartstopping triumph in the $1,500,000 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Ridden by Ben Melham for James Cummings, Paulele did it the hard way by launching from last on the turn. The handsome chestnut son of Dawn Approach (IRE) overpowered local sweetheart Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) by a head.
The veteran 7yo mare This'll Testya (Testa Rossa) was three-quarter length back in third.
The weekend had not started well for Godolphin with the scratching of the in-form Vilana following a stable accident.
Paulele crossed the Nullabor with disappointing runs in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes and Group 1 Darley Champions Sprintafter claiming the Group II Schillaci Stakes,
His Group 1 placings included the Doomben 10000, TJ Smith Stakes, and Kingsford Smith Cup.
With his sixth stakes win, Paulele advances his record to eight wins, four seconds, and two thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $2,404,300.
A three-quarter brother to the Group III VRC Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes winner Montsegur (New Approach), dam of Heresy, and a half-brother to Group III ATC Canonbury Stakes winner Tessera (Medaglia d'Oro), Paulele is one of seven winners from eight to race out of the Flying Spur mare Chatoyant.
A daughter of the blue hen Decidity (Last Tycoon), Chatoyant is a half-sister to Group 1 VRC Myer Classic winner Bonaria (Redoute's Choice), Group III winner Time Out (Rory's Jester) and the Group III winner and Group 1-placed Legally Bay (Snippets), the dam of Merchant Navy and Jolie Bay.
With three stakes winners to her credit, Chatoyant earned an honourable pension in February last year.
Her final foal is a 2yo Exosphere filly named Chrysoberyl.
Paulele is the second Group 1 winner for Dawn Approach (IRE) after The Two Thousand Guineas and Royal Ascot St James's Palace Stakes winner Poetic Flare (IRE).
A 4-time Group 1 winner, Dawn Approach (IRE) shuttled to Darley Stud for five seasons (2014-18).
