By Tom Frary
Introduced as Charlie Appleby's second-string in Monday's novice at Wolverhampton, Godolphin's 3-year-old Endless Victory (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}–Waitress {SP-Fr}, by Kingmambo) emerged clear best with a striking debut display to earn instant TDN Rising Star status.
A full-brother to the operation's G1 Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter (GB), the 7-4 second favourite was able to follow the moderate pace set by Cupid's Dream (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) without any issue and when asked to tackle that stablemate turning for home really turned it on for Danny Tudhope. In command approaching the furlong pole, the homebred hit the line strong having completed the final two furlongs in 23.10. Cupid's Dream, who had shown useful form on his debut in November, wilted to be third, beaten 7 1/4 lengths in total with the Karl Burke-trained unraced colt Ancient Myth (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), a 425,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase, 4 3/4 lengths in arrears of the impressive winner.
“That was a lovely performance–he was a bit green and it's probably a bit sharp for him around here, but he got away with it and hit the line well,” Tudhope said of Teofilo's fifth TDN Rising Star, with the multiple group winner West Wind Blows (Ire) the pick so far. “He'll be better when he goes up in trip.”
The listed-placed dam Waitress, whose 2-year-old filly is by Frankel (GB), is out of the G3 Prix de Meautry winner Do The Honours (Ire) (Highest Honor {Fr}) who is in turn a daughter of the well-connected Persian Secret (Fr) (Persian Heights {GB}). Kin to the top-class sprinter Cassandra Go (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and the ill-fated sire of note Verglas (Ire), she links to the Classic heroine and stellar broodmare Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and therefore to Galileo's Magical (Ire) and Rhododendron (Ire) and last year's Derby-winning sensation Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
An impressive debut!@godolphin's Endless Victory has too much for the field at @WolvesRaces… pic.twitter.com/gk3nPFXbBV
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 12, 2024
3rd-Wolverhampton, £11,400, Novice, 2-12, 3yo, 9f 104y (AWT), 2:01.24, st.
ENDLESS VICTORY (GB), c, 3, by Teofilo (Ire)
1st Dam: Waitress (SP-Fr), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Do The Honours (Ire), by Highest Honor (Fr)
3rd Dam: Persian Secret (Fr), by Persian Heights (GB)
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $7,772. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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