Pastorius makes winning start to new campaign in Ganay
The Mario Hofer-trained four-year-old, who was fourth to Frankel in the Qipco Champion Stakes, swept to a comfortable victory under Olivier Peslier after stablemate Point Blank had done his job as pacemaker.
Pastorius came with a smooth run on the rails in the straight and had too many guns for Maxios.
Dunaden, ridden by Jamie Spencer for owners Pearl Bloodstock, was a staying-on third.
Pastorius has an invitation for the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji on May 19 which connections will consider following his one-length victory. “We are very happy and made the right decision in bringing Point Blank into the race as well which worked out fantastic,” said owner and breeder Franz Prinz von Auersperg.
“It was a great victory because what we didn’t know where we stood what with it being the first race of the year, but he has proved he is up to this.
“We have an invitation to Singapore, but we have to discuss what that would mean for the rest of the year. We will not plan too far away because we will take it more from the horse’s situation.
“I would love to come to Ascot again but Mario is not convinced yet, maybe to the King George later, but we don’t know yet.
