African Pulse Goodwood bound

Quality sprinter African Pulse maintained his outstanding fresh record with a dominant victory in the Bert Bryant Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.

Having his first run since a Flemington victory last August - on the sidelines for month after a freak stable accident saw him sever a tendon - African Pulse proved 2¼ lengths too strong for his rivals in the 1000m contest.

Not the best away from the inside gate for apprentice Thomas Sadler, African Pulse soon mustered speed to sit second on the inside of the very fast Fab Fevola.

Hooking off the heels of that horse as the field turned for home, African Pulse pinned his ears back and gave an almighty kick - the race put beyond any doubt in the blink of an eye.

"He is a pretty classy individual," said Sadler who rode the entire for the first time in track work last week.

"When I rode him last Friday I was surprised how quickly he went from relaxed to putting six on them - it gave me a good insight for today."

And again African Pulse put on display his stellar turn of foot.

"As soon as I swtiched off Fab Fevola's heels and started to let him go nothing was going to get past him."

"When you ask him for his effort he just puts a couple of quick lengths on them and cruises at that speed - if you asked for more I think he'd find another three or four lengths."

Michael Moroney was happy as well as relieved, thrilled to have African Pulse back to his best after such a major set-back.

"It is good to have him back and hopefully he can now atone for missing out on the spring," he said.

"There is another claiming race for him here next week which fits in well with his programme heading towards the Goodwood Handicap."

Moroney was impressed with the way in which African Pulse found the line.

"When Tom hit the go button he really quickened up and he kept running through the line - there was a softness to his victory."

A NZ$130,000 Karaka graduate seletcted by Paul Moroney, African Pulse is raced by the ARK Syndicate, R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Noel & Judith Griffin, Carl Gasper, Con Barbayannis, Paul Williams, Con Tangalakis, Tirileni, Wright Racing, the GLM Syndicate and the SHH Syndicate.

He is a son of Hennessy's six times Gr.1 winner Johannesburg out of an imported half sister to the UK stakes winners Governor Brown and Hataab. Queensland Oaks winner Zagalia hails from this family as does the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Levmoss.

Thanks to Darryl Sherer for his lovely photo of African Pulse's latest victory.