Godolphin One-Two in Chipping Norton Stakes
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Contributer's victory in the Chipping Norton Stakes (Aus-I) Feb. 28 at Warwick Farm provided Godolphin Racing its first top-level win in Australia since launching operations there last year.
An Irish-bred son of High Chaparral, Contributer led in stablemate Hartnell, winning by a half length in a one-two finish for trainer John O'Shea.
"It is a lovely result for everyone and a great team effort more than anything. This is only the start," O'Shea said.
Until recently, Godolphin runners in Australia have been trained out of Europe or Dubai and flown in for the spring before returning home.
Contributer's win was the third group triumph on the day at Warwick Farm for Godolphin, O'Shea, and jockey James McDonald, as they also teamed to win with Exosphere in the Pro-Ride Skyline Stakes (Aus-II) and It's Somewhat in the Liverpool City Cup (Aus-III).
Contributer started as the short-priced favorite and won in fine style, finishing the 1,600-meter (about a mile) contest in 1:36.54 on a good track.
Weary was early leader from group I winners Fiveandahalfstar and Silent Achiever, the latter ultimately finishing fourth. Contributer rated in sixth, toward the inside early, then came wide into the stretch to vie for command before hitting the front with more than 200 meters remaining. Hartnell, a group III winner in England last year and making his Australian debut Saturday, was up late to challenge, but could not overtake the winner.
"Coming out of the corner, Hartnell gave a big kick to thread his way through the field to throw himself at the line and close on Contributer in great style," O'Shea said.
French-bred He's Your Man, one of eight entries in the 15-horse field for trainer Chris Waller, was a close third.
Winner of the Optus Apollo Stakes (Aus-II) Feb. 14 at Randwick last time out, Contributer has a 7-2-1 career line from 13 starts that includes stakes wins in England at Ascot and Kempton for his former owner, California-based George Bolton.
Bred by Petra Bloodstock Agency, Contributer is out of French group III winner Serisia, by Exit to Nowhere. A private acquisition by Godolphin, Contributer was bought as juvenile by agent Angie Loder, acting for Bolton, who spent $310,518 for him at the 2012 Tattersalls April breeze-up sale.