Avilius Makes a Statement

Mark Smith - Saturday September 21

In the post Winx era, Godolphin's import Avilius (GB) staked his claim as the best horse in the land following a last to first win in Saturday's $750,000 Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

The James Cummings-trained son of Pivotal defeated the John Thompson-trained Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) by two and a quarter lengths with a further one and a quarter lengths back to the Pat Webster-trained Happy Clapper (Teofilo) in third. (images Steve Hart).

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Winner of the Group 1 ATC Ranvet Stakes and Group 1 Tancred Stakes in a seven day period in the autumn, Avilius (GB) advances his record to 11 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $2,763,710.

"That was a Cox Plate effort today," Cummings told AAP.

"His first up runs so far this preparation demonstrated that he was more a Caulfield Cup horse, so we've got some thinking to do.

"But this is the demonstration of a horse that is well and truly back and firing.

"Great ride from Kerrin to be sweeping into the race off the back of that sort of pressure and I think the horse is well and truly on the path we needed to see him on."

Second behind the star Frankel colt Cracksman in the Group II Prix Niel at Chantilly just over two years ago, Avilius (GB) has been a star since he landed in Australia, reeling off four consecutive wins 12 months ago.

A brother to Group II Prix Guillaume d'Ornano winner and Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up, Saint Baudolino, and a half-brother to Listed winners Well Of Wisdom (Oasis Dream) and Army Bulletin (Invincible Spirit), Avilius is out of the winning Sunday Silence mare Alessandria whose dam Tereshkova (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner and one season shuttler Lycius (USA).

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