Godolphin’s trainer James Cummings has opted to redirect Pericles to Sydney this Saturday for the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill after drawing the outside barrier in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
A dual Group 2 victor and four-time elite-level placer, Pericles kicked off his five-year-old campaign with a commendable third in the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) before triumphing in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Moonee Valley.
His latest outing saw him secure third place in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), prompting Cummings to express confidence in dropping him back to Group 2 level this weekend.
“It’s amazing, he came back from Melbourne in unbelievably good condition and we are still building towards his peak,” Cummings remarked.
“He gets a gorgeous run from the barrier (four) at weight-for-age.
“There’s a number of chances, but it’s a very strong race and I think there’s a number of runners in good form. He was very brave over nine furlongs last start in the Underwood on top of a strong tempo.
“The opposition made him work early and it was a very testing race. He was brave to still be sticking on late.
“He stayed on well at 1800 metres, stayed on better than most of the field having been vulnerable from up on top of the pace.”
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