Paulele claims the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes

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Godolphin colt Paulele has maintained his perfect Randwick record by taking out the Group 3 (1200m) on Saturday.

The three-year-old son of Dawn Approach was an easing favourite in the Group 3 event, getting out to $3 at the time of jump, but he proved too tough for his rivals, defeating Ranch Hand and .

After leading from barrier five under , Paulele gave a good kick at the top of the straight and was able to sustain the run up the entire Randwick straight, despite being challenged on the inside from Converge and by Ranch Hand on the outside of him.

The James Cummings-trained colt went into the race with an unbeaten record at Randwick from four starts at the track, and while there were a few nervous moments in the concluding stages for favourite backers, he was able to stretch out and extend his perfect record at the track.

“He was fresh, obviously a bit above himself but he was not chasing a lure like the good colt last week (),” Cummings told Sky Racing.

“He just had to get into his stride and when challenged by a couple of good horses in Converge and Ranch Hand, he was capable of lowering and sprinting hard and keeping his unbeaten record at Randwick intact.

“He has been flying – we worked him on Tuesday morning and his work rider came back and I asked him, ‘what did you think of the gallop?' and it was like a cat had got his tongue, he was speechless.

“There's no doubt the horse is going very well, and it is a matter for us now just to pick out a target and do our best to get him to win a race good enough to stand him on the roster.”

During the spring, Paulele was in contention to run in Godolphin's slot in The Everest, but Cummings opted to keep him against his own age, where he ultimately ran 12th in the Stakes.

The colt was victorious early in the spring when defeating In The in the by 2.5 lengths, before the eventual Golden Rose winner turned the tables in the Run To The Rose at their next start.

While Paulele kept his perfect record at Randwick intact, McEvoy also remained unbeaten on the colt, returning to the saddle for the first time since his very second start.

“I led on him here one day back early in his career, at his second start, but I didn't ask him to do that, he just got there on his own accord,” the winning rider said.

“I wasn't too worried; I'd chatted to the team and as long as I was able to have him comfortable and in a rhythm.

“He was a bit fresh pre-race and he bowled off quite strongly to the gates but I was able to get him back at the 600m and I was actually pretty happy when I got to the gates.

“I thought he was feeling well and handling himself well.

“He was able to put the race away and kick strongly for home and that's exactly what he did. He's a quality colt.

“He did it nicely for me early and that enabled him to kick strongly.

“I could hear Timmy (Clark aboard Converge) coming on the inside.

“I was slightly worried past the furlong but my fella maintained a good gallop all the way through the line. He's in for a lovely prep.”

Paulele is expected to have a rematch with Home Affairs throughout the Sydney Autumn , with the duo towards the top of betting for the on March 19.

Paulele shares $5 favouritism with Queensland mare Isotope, while Home Affairs is the $6 second elect.

Today's placegetters, Ranch Hand and Converge, both returned in terrific order, with the latter firming into $10 from his opening quote of $15 in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 5.

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