Aethelwulf, expertly guided by jockey Zac Lloyd, easily outclassed his rivals to claim the Merrylands RSL Handicap over 2000 metres.
The impressive stayer has now secured four wins from five starts this campaign, each by a significant margin. His previous victories included a maiden win at Newcastle by over five lengths, followed by margins of six-and-a-half lengths, six-and-a-half lengths, and two-and-a-quarter lengths in his subsequent races.
The winning margin at Rosehill could have been even greater, but jockey Zac Lloyd exercised restraint on the stayer, who clearly held a superior advantage over the competition.
A potential path for Aethelwulf this campaign, according to trainer Matthew Smith, is a progression from a Newcastle maiden to the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
“Aethelwulf may get there (The Metropolitan), we might go to the Newcastle Cup first,” Smith said. “If he gets through that then why not?”
Favourite at $1.35, Aethelwulf performed as expected for an odds-on elect, comfortably crossing the line well ahead of Anthracite ($7.50). Kenmare Bay ($15) secured third place, just over a length behind.
Lloyd, who has partnered Aethelwulf for his last three victories, all by wide margins, labelled the horse a “super exciting horse”.
“Aethelwulf is still very raw and will be a better horse in six to 12 months but he can’t be doing much better than he is now,” Lloyd said.
“He won easily and is a natural stayer. He pulls up very clean-winded, his breathing is very clear.”.
Aethelwulf’s commanding performance at Rosehill has seen him firm into equal favouritism at $6 for The Metropolitan, sharing the top line with another promising stayer, King Of The Sea.
Smith admitted Aethelwulf’s development this winter had taken him by surprise.
“We were hoping he would do that today but you never know,” Smith said.
“He’s a pretty unassuming horse at home, he’s a lazy trackworker but he’s switched on come raceday.
“It was good to see him step up in grade today and once he learns his craft he could be very good.
“I feel 2000m and beyond will be his trip as he has a massive stride, he has the biggest stride in my stable, but it’s a big, easy, loping stride, very economical.”
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