Godolphin and John O’Shea unleashed another smart three-year-old on Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day in Sydney with Federal scoring a soft win in the South Pacific Classic 2015 to earn a trip to Hawkesbury for the Guineas.

The Hawkesbury Guineas in early May could be next for 2015 South Pacific Classic winner Federal. Photo: Steve Hart.

The son of Medaglia D’Oro was one of just six of his age lining up in this year’s $150,000 Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m), the second race at Royal Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships.

Ridden by James McDonald the promising gelding settled just off the speed set by John Thompson’s Snake Charmer and the last start Gosford Guineas winning filly Ygritte from the Gerald Ryan stables who was the best out of the gates.

Federal also came via a run in the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) from April 2 having run a length away second in his South Pacific Classic lead-up.

Snake Charmer led them round with Ygritte on the leader’s outside, while Chris Waller’s resuming High Chaparral gelding Sadler’s Lake, racing a touch keen, couldn’t find any cover and was forced to race three wide in the open in third with Federal in fourth waiting to pounce.

The six runners raced tight and compact down the side of the course and on the home turn into the straight it was Snake Charmer and Ygritte fighting it out stride for stride.

After being tucked away patiently behind them through the run, Federal quickly moved up to join in descending on the scene to put them away over an explosive final 200m.

Powering away and really relishing the 1400m, Federal ($2.80) showed a good turn of foot and having always looked comfortable in the race tucked off them not too far away, he raced off for a big win over Snake Charmer ($13) while Ygritte ($4.20) battled on for third.

The winner had a really nice spot, got really good cover and was very exciting in the end showing a sharp acceleration when asked to impress McDonald with his win in 1:24.7.

“He’s a really nice horse,” McDonald said.

“He’s got bigger fish to fry than a race like today and I feel on a good track he’d be even better.

“They really crawled (today) and I was lucky enough to get on the back of them.

“Fortunately we got the job done.

“It (the win was) very soft and hopefully he can win a good Group race.”

That Group race win could come as soon as next start with O’Shea looking at backing him up for a final run this preparation in the $150,000 Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on Hawkesbury Gold Cup Day on May 2.

“Lovely colt and a great ride,” O’Shea said.

“He got on the back of the favourite and just had to let down.

“He’s a fit horse third-up.

“We’ll get him home now and we’ve always thought maybe Hawkesbury next to give him one more and that’ll do him.”

Godolphin’s Henry Plumptre meanwhile is looking even further ahead hoping Federal matures into a nice type for next season’s autumn and spring majors.

“He’s going to Hawkesbury now but he might be a nice horse next spring,” he said.

“It’s going to be wet this time next year so he could be a big chance in one of the big races.”

Now is the time to visit Ladbrokes.com.au and lock in your favourites for this afternoon’s four Group 1 races as they are offering exclusive Best Tote or SP + 20% on races six – nine at Randwick!

2015 South Pacific Classic Results & Finishing Order

Randwick Race 2 – 11/04/2015