By Brad Gray

 

James Doyle rode four winners at Randwick, with Badajoz joining Careless, Admiral Jello and Raiment. The Godolphin stable rider will be looking to take that form into the Sydney autumn carnival.

 

“It’s a good team effort to get the horse (Badajoz) here but we’re really excited for James. He’s made a lovely transition to racing in Sydney and you can see his qualities. He’s an outstanding, world-class rider and has shown his skills here today,” said O’Shea.

 

Badajoz was gelded prior to this campaign and the kindest cut has paid instant dividends.

 

“He quickened up good and I thought the horse would win quite easily but he took his foot off the gas a little late. The horse down on the inside Top Striker is a battler as well and it lunged at me but he had enough in the tank,” said an elated Doyle.

 

“He’s a big lump and he does hit it (the ground) quite hard. He would be better suited if it was the first race when it wasn’t quite as quick.

 

“I’d never ridden a winner here until today so hopefully we’ve got on top of that and mastered this place.”

 

As a side note, O’Shea said after the race that Badajoz would now head to the Gold Coast for the tried horse sale.