Pericles has at last conquered Group 1 ranks, with the durable gelding powering home to victory in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Caulfield.
Relief washed over connections after six near-misses at Group 1 level, featuring a second in the Futurity Stakes two years earlier, as the six-year-old Street Boss product prevailed on start 32.
After James Cummings departed the Godolphin helm last year, Bjorn Baker took charge of Pericles, and Godolphin Australia general manager Andy Makiv expressed immense joy at the horse’s elite breakthrough.
“It’s amazingly satisfying, he’s been a fabulous horse, he’s a home-bred off Northwood Park, the stud here in Victoria, by our fantastic stallion Street Boss, so for him to achieve Group 1 glory is wonderful for so many people,” Makiv said.
“It’s been a great journey and I’m really pleased for all the team and pleased for Bjorn. It’s great.”
Pericles posted seconds apart from the 2024 Futurity Stakes in the Doncaster Mile, Rosehill Guineas and preceding year’s Champions Mile before his latest run.
He also filled second in the $10m Golden Eagle of 2023, complemented by Group 1 thirds in the Epsom Handicap and Underwood Stakes.
Craig Williams, a Futurity Stakes connoisseur, delivered a pinpoint ride that banked Pericles earnings approaching $7 million.
Williams set out briskly, slotting in as Evaporate and Treasurethe Moment slugged it out ahead, then accelerated fiercely to seize command in the dying 50m.
At $5.50, the gelding asserted late for a three-quarters-of-a-length margin over Buckaroo ($31), who burst along the inside to hold off $1.90 top pick Treasurethe Moment— who had scampered away turning for home at 250m prior to folding—for second.
“Coming into the autumn when Mr Brightside was not going to be here, I said, ‘I need a replacement’,” Williams said.
“It’s not easy to fill those shoes, so I got in touch with Bjorn Baker.
It looks like he’s gone to another level in the spring. To win a Group 1, well done to all the team behind them and their patience.”
Williams boasts six Futurity Stakes winners now, three successive after Mr Brightside repeats, trailing Roy Higgins’ eight by a pair.
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