Archedemus may be missing from the $1 million The Gong and Angel Of Truth's Melbourne Cup quest fell short, but Gwenda Markwell may well have unearthed a new star in four-year-old gelding Josephus.
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In just his third career start, Josephus ($5.50) powered away to win a 1500m Maiden at Kembla Grange on Saturday by a length, with Ron Quinton filly Varinka second and Chris Waller's Hoystrike an eye-catching third along the outside rail.
Josephus is a full brother to last year's Provincial Championships finalist Mandylion and a half-brother of Archedemus, who won the Group 3 Hawkesbury Cup in April, as part of Superhorse breeder-owner Ross Williams' team.
Markwell remained uncertain of Josephus's future prospects, saying she was in no rush to push his staying credentials.
"A mile will pull him up at this stage," she said.
"He just won a Maiden, so see how he goes from there."
Williams runs a complex breeding algorithm, which has already produced Angel Of Truth, who won the Group 1 Australian Derby before a frustrating spring preparation, which finished with a disappointing 15th in the Caulfield Cup and scratched for the Melbourne Cup after running in the Bendigo Cup.
Archedemus had been aimed at The Gong, but hopes were dashed, spelled after his last run, where he finished at the back of the Epsom field last month.
On Saturday it was the first time Josephus had struck a Good rated track and stepping up in distance, with the rail out nine metres to keep the surface pristine for next Saturday's inaugural The Gong, he peeled off the leaders and kicked clear at the 300m.
Markwell finished the day with a double, as Esteem Spirit ($2.80fav) took out the first heat of the Class 5 Provincial Summer Series (1400m).
Chad Level sat off leader Uno That and kicked clear in the straight, denying an impressive finish from the Theresa Bateup-trained Golly I'm Lucky to win by two lengths.
There are five heats, one at each provincial track, before the final is held at Gosford on December 27 over 1600m.
The biggest crowd in Kembla Grange history is expected for The Gong meeting, which is expected to feature the Waller-trained Asterius and John Sargeant's Luvaluva.
Happy Clapper, a Group 1 winner who took on the great Winx at his peak, is out of contention last week after picking up a virus.
The new $1 million race will be run over 1600m, perhaps opening the door to Josephus being the big Illawarra hope next year.
On Saturday, the inaugural running of Newcastle's The Hunter was run over 1300m, as part of Racing NSW spring carnival expansion.
Five-year-old mare Savatiano led the race from barrier 14 and controlled the tempo before kicking clear for a 1.5-length win for James Cummings and Godolphin, over a fast-finishing Tactical Advantage.
Savatiano ran a track record 1:15.76 in claiming the $580,000 first prize.
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
