Paulele won a thrilling Eskimo Prince Stakes which will likely be a strong autumn form reference among the top three placegetters.
Paulele leads home Ranch Hand (right) and Converge (left) in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images
Paulele showed his class, Ranch Hand was very good and Converge proved he was back.
The trio of outstanding three-year-olds fought out a stirring finish with Paulele prevailing in the Group 3 $160,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
This race almost certainly will prove a strong form reference for the autumn carnival with all three capable of making their mark at a higher level.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings certainly has every reason to aim higher with Paulele after his colt had to make all from the front.
“Paulele is a really exciting colt, he’s got a great record and he has now come back in his autumn three-year-old preparation winning first-up,’’ Cummings said.
Paulele leads from pillar to post in the Eskimo Prince! @KPMcEvoy@JamesCummings88@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/CtDHZzxchI
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 5, 2022
“He has been flying at home. We worked him on Tuesday morning and his work rider came back and I asked him, ‘what did you think of the gallop?’ and it was like a cat had got his tongue, he was speechless.
“There’s no doubt the horse is going very well and it is a matter for us now just to pick out target and do our best to get him to win a race good enough to eventually stand him on the (stallion) roster.”
Paulele ($3.10 favourite) was left in the lead early and was there to be beaten on the straight but responded magnificently to the challenge and scored by a half-length from Ranch Hand ($4.60) with Converge ($5) a long neck away third.
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy was interviewed by Racing NSW stewards after the race as Paulele was the surprise leader.
“It wasn’t the plan to lead,” McEvoy said.
“I thought we’d be second or third but I told James if we’re quicker then them, I’ll let him be where he’s comfortable.
“I led on him here one day back early in his career, at his second start, but I didn‘t ask him to do that today, he just got there on his own accord.
“But I wasn’t too worried, I’d chatted to the team and as long as I was able to have him comfortable and in a rhythm.
“He was able to put the race away and kick strongly for home and that’s exactly what he did. He’s a quality colt.”
James Cummings will pinpoint Paulele’s next target. Picture: Getty Images
Cummings wasn’t concerned when Paulele landed in front.
“Kerrin he loves riding his horses like that and when they begin well, he lets them stride up and not disappoint them and that suited Paulele today,” the trainer said.
“He was fresh, obviously a bit above himself but he was not chasing a lure like the good colt last week (Anamoe).
“But he’s got some versatility. He’s led before as a two-year-old and he was up on the speed in the Kindergarten, he’s got lots of tactical speed but he probably just drew the right gate today for Kerrin to ride him like he did.
“He just had to get into his stride and when challenged by a couple of good horses in Converge and Ranch Hand, he was capable of lowering and sprinting hard and keeping his unbeaten record at Randwick intact.”
Paulele is the epitome of a Randwick specialist, winning his fifth race from as many starts on the track.
Cummings said Paulele is essentially a sprinter with plenty of options for the brilliant chestnut colt through the autumn carnival.
“Hopefully we can find the right target for him either next start or maybe two runs away,’’ Cummings said.
“If we have to drop him back and run him over five-and-a-half furlongs (1100m) in the Oakleigh Plate, then he’d be on the minimum there and I think he’d run a big race.
“If we wanted to keep him here then we’d have to wait a while for the Galaxy so maybe we’d think about running him in the Canterbury Sakes.
“But the races that are there that he can win are looming so it’s good to see he is in top form.
“One thing at a time though and the most important this for us is to see if we can get him to take the next step and win a Group 1, that would be delightful.”
The Chris Waller-trained Ranch Hand loomed as a likely winning chance halfway down the straight but although he could not wear down Paulele, his effort to finish second indicates he’s in for a good preparation.
The same can be said for Converge who ran a blinder after failing to come up during the spring.
“It was a really good run, very happy with that,’’ said Adrian Bott, co-trainer of Converge.
“He had to make his run on a part of the track where you didn’t want to be and he probably peaked on his run in the last 100m
“But it showed that he is coming up nicely. He’s been working and trialling really well and it was pleasing to see him produce such a good run.
“The form out of this race should be very strong. They are three good young horses.’’
Originally published as Eskimo Prince Stakes: Paulele powers to victory after cracking battle against Ranch Hand and Converge
Keyword: Eskimo Prince Stakes: Paulele powers to victory after cracking battle against Ranch Hand and Converge