Promising three-year-old gelding Dulcet (NZ) (Eminent) took an important step towards the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) when running out a ready winner at Sale on Wednesday for trainer Chris Waller.
From the first crop of Brighthill Farm stallion Eminent, Dulcet had been placed in his first two starts before relishing the step up to 1740m at Sale to win by a comfortable two lengths.
Winning jockey Beau Mertens was impressed with the performance of the progressive young stayer who came from last to loop the field and win going away.
“He gave me a good feel. Obviously, he was the best horse in a race like that and the team gave me a bit of confidence to ride him with cover, wherever I ended up with him,” Mertens said.
“He just showed his class. He tracked up right around them and had it won pretty quickly.
“He ran strongly throughout and when I got past them I just wanted to keep his mind on the job so he hit the line strongly and he was doing it very easily. I struggled to pull him up a little bit so he has plenty left in the tank.”
Now that maiden ranks have been cleared, a test over ground beckons for Dulcet, who is a half-brother to Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m) runner-up Let’s Karaka Deel (NZ) (Dundeel).
“The team have suggested that he is going to the Geelong Classic (Listed, 2200m) next start so on the back of that win, he should run really well,” Mertens said.
“I have had a terrific association with Chris (Waller) with the minimal rides I have had for him. I have got a good strike-rate so hopefully opportunities like these can keep arising through the next couple of months and beyond.”
Purchased by Guy Mulcaster and Chris Waller Racing for $250,000 as a yearling from the 2022 Karaka Book 1 Sale, Dulcet is the most expensive yearling by exciting young Frankel sire Eminent to date.
The gelding is the first Australian runner for the Group One performed Eminent, while he has already sired impressive debut winner Fon Memories from his eldest crop in New Zealand.
Bred by Wentwood Grange under their Llanhennock Trust banner, Dulcet is yet another highly promising three-year-old to come from the farm’s Karaka 2022 draft, with Pushy (NZ) (Time Test), Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) and Harlow Mist (NZ) (Contributer) fellow graduates.
