Fulmen Filou is a stayer on the up, with the Armidale galloper winning three of his past six, including back-to-back victories at Grafton and Tamworth in February.
The four-year-old, by 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, and out of L’inquisitor, a winner between 1950m and 2024m, is bred to stay and has improved as he’s matured into a lovely gelding.
Stringing together back-to-back wins with Cassey Williams in the saddle, Fulmen Filou won a 2200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Grafton on February 3.
On the ten-day backup, the Armidale galloper won again at Tamworth today, showcasing his staying talents during a sustained three-wide run as he put paid to his rivals by two lengths in the 2100m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
A $6,000 Inglis Digital purchase by Robert Knight in April 2025, Fulmen Filou arrived in Armidale after nine starts, with a maiden win over 1600m at Pakenham in August 2024, his only victory.
In 13 starts for Knight, the popular galloper has only missed a place on one occasion, registering three wins and nine minor placings, which has skyrocketed his earnings to over $100,000.
Having carried 61.5kg to victory at Tamworth, Knight is now wondering where to go next with Fulmen Filou.
“He’s really flying this horse. I don’t know what to do now; I’m stumped,” Knight laughed.
“I didn’t know how he’d handle the weight, but he handled that alright, but we might have to go somewhere else different to get a little bit of weight off his back.
“We’re looking up there (Queensland) for a race, but we don’t know how strong they are.”
It was a heads-up ride by Williams on the Tamworth winner, with the pair starting slowly before building into the race and outstaying their rivals.
“He’s very smart, and I’m starting to understand him well,” Williams said.
“He’s the kind of horse that you can just let roll and just judge him, and he’ll give his best every time.
“It was a bit difficult for him today; he didn’t want to jump, but then wanted to get towing, so I had to start letting him roll early, which worked in his favour as it is the way he likes to be ridden.”
When discussing Fulmen Filou and what makes him a special galloper, Williams said it was his toughness and staying ability.
“He doesn’t necessarily have just a sharp turn of foot, but a long turn of foot as well, and you can keep him rolling and rolling,” Williams said.
“Then, he’ll kick again at the last 2000m; he’s really matured in his last couple of runs.”
