3 minute read
The Royal Blue colours of Godolphin will have dual representation in the opening race at The Valley.
On paper James Cummings and Godolphin would appear to hold a strong hand in the Roll The Dice Racing Plate at The Valley
The Royal Blue colours are to be worn by the two topweights, Zapateo and Sliders, in the 1200m sprint for three-year-old fillies.
But Cummings has issued a word of warning, concerned that Zapateo may have come to the end of her preparation while Sliders may find the 1200m trip too far first-up.
Zapateo started her career with victory in maiden grade at Geelong in June before running second over 1100m at Caulfield on July 10.
The filly then returned to winning form when dropped back to 1000m at The Valley on July 31.
"She is proven at the track, and she's got to get up and do it over six furlongs, but I don't think that should be too much of a problem for her," Cummings told RSN.
Unlike her stablemate, Sliders has raced twice at 1200m, finishing out of the money on each occasion.
Cummings said running Sliders at the trip first-up was not ideal.
"I probably would have preferred 1000 or 1100 metres, but we did not quite have that race for her outside of the Quezette up against a couple of our other fillies last week," Cummings said.
"So, we waited for this race and are prepared to tackle the 1200. She is a small, quick filly and the question is whether or not she has the depth to perform over 1200 first-up.
"It's an interesting race for both fillies. They are just a kilo above the limit having a decent enough record behind them.
"We'll get an idea of where Sliders is at, while Zapateo is nearer the end of her preparation than at the start of it.
"It would be satisfying to see her continue on with the form that she has been showing."