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Godolphin Racing weekend preview from trainer James Cummings.

CAULFIELD September 23

Race 1: BANISH - “She’s in good shape, but she’s also coming off the back of two pretty tough runs, so she’s really going to have to show some resilience here to go out and produce another big effort. We get the feeling that she’s a tough, little filly. We’re happy to let her line up here, and we’ll be really impressed if she’s able to win. She could be better when she gets out to 1600m.”

Race 4: BANDIPUR - “Bandipur runs here after acquitting himself very well at Moonee Valley a month ago. He looks fantastic, there’s not a lot of him, but he’s going to really enjoy coming back to 1100m which has probably proven to be a better distance for him this time in. He’s a bit sharper and bit stronger over this trip.”

Race 7: TALLY – “He’s third up in the Naturalism which is a race that’s always hotly contested. I’m really pleased with the way he’s returned with two slashing runs. The 2000m at this stage should be perfect. He’s been training on nicely and the team in Melbourne are really satisfied with the progress he’s made. Importantly, he’s going to be very fit after this for the 2500m of the Bart Cummings in a couple of weeks. We want to see a nice, positive run. If he gets the run to suit, this is a race that isn’t beyond him.”

Race 9: FRAGONARD - “She scored a slashing win first up at Moonee Valley a month ago and since then has had a really good few weeks between runs. She had a strong barrier trial last Friday morning at Flemington. “If she’s jumping out of her skin like she was first up, then she’ll run a big race here. She goes into the race fresh and that bit stronger than she was first up.”

ROSEHILL September 23

Race 1: BEAU GESTE – “We were very satisfied with his first-up run against a couple of very promising horses. With a bit more fitness on his side he’s going to be running a very big race, possibly producing a lot more of the promise he’s got to offer for the rest of the spring.”

Race 6: ASTORIA – “He produced a really good, strong, surging win at Newcastle. He’s come through the run really well and he needs racing to keep bringing him on. When I looked him over on Tuesday morning, I was delighted with the way he appeared and I think he’s ready to produce again this weekend. Importantly, it’s going to set him up with a strong foundation for races like the Spring Champion Stakes. He should be putting himself right into the race and he’s ready to attack the line.”

SANCTIONED - “I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself as far as spring targets go, but he’s nominated for the majors. He started this preparation as a mid-week winner and he’s now a G3 placegetter first up and a G2 placegetter last start, so he’s on an upward spiral.”

Race 9: SOUCHEZ - “He’s dropping back in grade here in this handicap after chasing home some really tough horses like Vega Magic in Melbourne. Getting back to Rosehill is going to be a big bonus for the horse who’s a winner of the G2 Pago Pago Stakes here. “He’s a four-year-old now and we want to see that he’s training on. He’s giving us the right signs that he can do that on Saturday.”