Aethelwulf wins metropolitan debut, earning promotion to Saturday grade racing

Four‑year‑old thoroughbred Aethelwulf, trained by Matt Smith, captured the Asahi Super Dry Handicap at Canterbury on Wednesday. The $1.26 favourite defeated Forbidden Riff by five lengths in his fifth career start and first city‑grade race, prompting an immediate step up to a Saturday metropolitan race over 2000 m. Smith said the colt “handled Canterbury well” and will now be aimed at higher‑class events after a brief consideration for the Derby was shelved due to earlier immaturity.

In the same meeting, Chris Waller’s four‑year‑old Phantom Major, a son of Snitzel, won the Schweppes Handicap (1200 m) from the rear of the field. Jockey James McDonald rode Phantom Major to a 1½‑length victory, giving Waller an early double as the Godolphin mare Glissando won the following race.