Royally-bred Snitzel colt Williamsburg will back up in next week's Gloaming Stakea after staging a last to first performance in Saturday’s $250,000 Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Williamsburg charged home down the centre of the track to defeat the Russian Revolution gelding Communist by lengths with the Fastnet Rock gelding Stroke Of Luck back in third.
With his third stakes success Williamsburg advances his record to four wins, a second, and a third from nine starts with earnings of $442,990.
Ryan said the son of Snitzel is on track for the Group 1 Champion Stakes.
“He has the next three races written all over him. The Dulcify, Gloaming Stakes and Champion Stakes,” Ryan said.
“That has been his aim all along, and Kerrin has been upbeat about him.
“He hit a bit of a flat spot, but the further they went up the straight, the stronger he got.
“Provided he pulls up alright, he will start next week.”
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock, Williamsburg was a $470,000 purchase by Tony Fung Investments from the Arrowfield draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He is the third foal and second winner for the high-class High Chaparral (IRE) mare Fenway, who won the Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes in 2015.
A granddaughter of Joi Denise, Fenway was a $700,000 Easter Yearling.
Tony Fung purchased a sister to Williamsburg for $180,000 from the Arrowfield Stud consignment at the Inglis Easter Sale.
Fenway has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.