Godolphin unearth another potential two-year star in Painted Firetail

By Adam Pengilly and Chris Roots
Updated April 29 2015 - 12:09pm, first published April 25 2015 - 5:11pm

The autumn carnival may be done and dusted, but Godolphin unearthed another potential black-type two-year-old when Painted Firetail sailed to victory in the Randwick opener on Saturday. The half-sister to Gouldian was planted deep throughout, but it didn't matter as James McDonald released the handbrake on the easing favourite as she easily collared Stravigo in the latter stages to win by a length. "She oozes plenty of class," said McDonald, who admitted he skipped the Hollindale Stakes meeting on the Gold Coast to ride Painted Firetail in Sydney. "I couldn't do much else out [wide], but when I asked her to go, she went and it was all over. I think she's definitely stakes class and she's shown heaps of ability. She's a pleasure to ride." Trainer John O'Shea will whisk the filly to Scone for the listed Woodlands Stakes next month after the stable's 24th two-year-old winner for the term. "It's been a wonderful team performance to get her here in good order," O'Shea said. "In the spring you'll see a very, very nice filly."