Boom stayer Aethelwulf has Smith dreaming big after Rosehill romp

Aethelwulf, ridden almost arrogantly by star jockey Zac Lloyd, toyed with his opposition to win the Merrylands RSL Handicap (2000m).Aethelwulf has won four of his five starts this campaign all by big margins – he won a Newcastle maiden by more than five lengths when resuming then at his last three starts, he has won by six-and-a-half lengths lengths and two-and-a-quarter lengths.

In truth, Aethelwulf’s winning margin at Rosehill could have been much more but Lloyd didn’t need to get urgent on the stayer who clearly had the measure of his rivals.

From a Newcastle maiden to the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 is the increasingly likely path Aethelwulf is likely to take campaign, according to Matthew Smith.

Aethelwulf and @ZacLloydx made it look so, so easy at Rosehill 😮‍💨

That’s three in a row for the @mcsmithracing-trained gelding. pic.twitter.com/iZpgGMnx7Q

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 29, 2026

“Aethelwulf may get there (The Metropolitan), we might go to the Newcastle Cup first,” Smith said. “If he gets through that then why not?”

Aethelwulf ($1.35 favourite) won like all odds-on favourites should as he cruised home well clear of Anthracite ($7.50) with Kenmare Bay ($15) just over a length away in third place.

Lloyd, who has ridden Aethelwulf at his last three starts for three runaway wins, described the stayer as a “super exciting horse”.

“Aethelwulf is still very raw and will be a better horse in six to 12 months but he can’t be doing much better than he is now,” Lloyd said.

“He won easily and is a natural stayer. He pulls up very clean-winded, his breathing is very clear.”

Aethelwulf was so impressive at Rosehill today he has firmed into $6 equal favouritism with another boom stayer King Of The Sea for The Metropolitan.

Smith said Aethelwulf’s progression had surprised him this winter.

“We were hoping he would do that today but you never know,” Smith said.

“He’s a pretty unassuming horse at home, he’s a lazy trackworker but he’s switched on come raceday.

“It was good to see him step up in grade today and once he learns his craft he could be very good.

“I feel 2000m and beyond will be his trip as he has a massive stride, he has the biggest stride in my stable, but it’s a big, easy, loping stride, very economical.”