Bull Point is now favourite for the Group 1 Australian Guineas after a strong first up success in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained colt showed plenty of promise during a maiden preparation commencing as a late season two-year-old and culminated with a minor placing in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) behind Zoustar.
Given time to mature since, Bull Point displayed very encouraging signs first up in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m).
Bull Point jumped well and settled in a perfect position for jockey Damien Oliver one out and one back.
The pair edged closer rounding the home turn and had levelled up with one of the early leaders Worth A Ransom by the 200m.
Bull Point’s class was evident to all from there as the colt kicked away for a 1.3 length win.
Worth A Ransom and The Quarterback filled the minor placings with Prince Harada fourth.
Bull Point’s career best win yielded him a Timeform rating of 112p, one point shy of his master Timeform rating of 113 achieved when chasing home Zoustar in the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) last September.
His effort comes in near the previous five year winning average of the event.
The Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1 is the main goal for Bull Point where the Fastnet Rock colt can confirm himself a stallion career.
The three-year-old should be open to further improvement still early in his campaign.
This anticipated improvement is necessary though if he is to claim the Manfred Stakes/Australian Guineas double.
Bull Point after his encouraging first up win shot to the top of early betting for the Australian Guineas (1600m) however a case can be made for the adjustment being an overreaction.
The blueblood knocked 2013 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award off the top of betting and also moved passed Derby winner Polanski.
This is despite both the above gallopers possessing master figures well clear of the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bull Point.
While producing his best over further than a mile, Shamus Award has run higher figures over the mile than Bull Point’s master rating.
Shamus Award kicks off his latest campaign in the Group 1 C.F Orr Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday and all eyes will be on the colt during his return.
