Julius (NZ) Excels in Concorde

Emerging sprinter Julius (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who cost $44,000 at the 2013 Select Sale, marked his black-type debut with a dominant win in Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 Brighthill Farm Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie.

The lightly raced six-year-old had won four of his previous eight starts in lower grades, and when he stepped up to the big time on Saturday he was up to the challenge.

Rider Jake Bayliss positioned the big horse just behind the leaders for most of the run, then turned him loose in the straight. He burst to the lead, and despite switching off in the closing stages he scored by a comfortable length and a quarter.

“This horse has a big motor, but he still has a lot to learn,” Bayliss said. “There’s not a lot going on between those ears, but he’s got a huge amount of natural ability. There’s much more to come from him – maybe even a Group 1 a bit further down the line.”

Trained by John Bell for owners Hamish Jones, Rex Hawkins, Guy Davey, Bill Harris, Peter Schmidt, Mere Balzer, Stephen Read, Mark Robins and Summer Bell, Julius has now had nine starts for five wins, four placings and $119,150 in prizemoney.

Westbury Stud will offer a half-brother by Reliable Man as Lot 444 in Karaka Book 1.