A terrific burst of late speed saw Phoenix Thoroughbreds homebred Venelope open her account with victory at Warwick farm on Thursday, 26th January.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trainee saluted thanks to a brilliant come-from-behind ride by Brenton Avdulla that promised a bright future for the Kingman three-year-old.
Following a promising debut at Gosford, connections had begun to form a favourable opinion of the regally-bred filly and she didn’t disappoint under a confident steer. Settling at the rear of the field with only a couple of rivals in behind, she travelled comfortably until her rider started to stoke her up around the turn. Switched to the outside in the straight, she picked up nicely and once she gathered momentum, there only looked to be one winner.
“The extra distance (from her debut) and the bigger track was always going to suit her,” assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord told Sky Thoroughbred Central in his post-race analysis. “It was a lovely run from Brenton, he followed the right horse. She’s a filly that has taken a bit of time, but it’s great to get a win for Phoenix, they’re great supporters and she’s a filly that will keep improving.
“She’s got a lovely action and she’ll stay a bit further. She’s still learning, but it’s good to get her maiden out of the way.”