Contributer impresses in Apollo

Godolphin’s European import Contributer (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) added yet more southern hemisphere black type to the outstanding tally of his recently deceased sire when sprinting to a one-and-a-half lengths victory in the G2 Apollo S. at Randwick Saturday. The former charge of Ed Dunlop idled at the back of the field before shifting into overdrive in a matter of strides entering the straight, to win running away from Ninth Legion (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Fellow European-import Weary (Fr) (Astronomer Royal {Ire}), winner of the G2 Expressway S. last time out, held on for third.

Bred by Lady O’Reilly’s Petra Bloodstock Agency, Contributer carried the silks of George Bolton to four victories in the UK, including a pair of listed events over 2000 meters, from only nine starts. He was snapped up by Godolphin on the back of his comfortable win in the listed Wolferton H. at Royal Ascot last June. The 5-year-old opened his Australian account at first asking with an impressive display in the 2000-meter G3 David Jones Cup at Caulfield, before being well beaten in the G1 Emirates S. over a mile on firm ground.
“That is very satisfying because he has really been pleasing us at home and he has come and done it on race day,” commented trainer John O’Shea. “He is a ten furlong horse winning first-up over 1400m, so there are plenty of encouraging signs moving forward.”
“There is a nice program of races for him,” O’Shea continued. “Like any [imported] horse that has a crack over here, he seems to improve and he has certainly taken the next step after a break. He just has the right attitude, he switches off and just lets go when James [McDonald] asks him to go.”