3 minute read

Godolphin trainer James Cummings summarises the stable runners at Flemington on October 28.

Race 1 – G3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m)

BEAU GESTE: “He had no luck in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield last start. On a day when you had to be nearer the inside he was wide all the way. He’s a beautiful colt who has a win against his name already this preparation. He’s up to a mile for the first time and if he can be ridden a little quieter from a nice barrier he can certainly turn the tables on the horses who beat him home last time.”

GAULOIS: “He’s been targeted specifically for this race and comes off a strong last-start win three weeks ago. It was only at Kembla Grange but it was a Class Two over seven furlongs and the second placegetter came out and has won nicely since. We feel like Gaulois is ready to run the mile and he’s got the class to be competitive in a race of this nature. He might have a couple more runs this preparation.”

Race 4 – G3 Lexus Stakes (2500m)

HAVANA COOLER: “This horse has been half a run behind this preparation and we thought we saw him returning to a bit of form in the ATC St Leger. He was unlucky not to win this race a couple of years ago and with a bit of improvement he’s a top-five chance in this race.”

Race 5 – G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)

KEMENTARI: “We’ve sharpened him up with an 800m barrier trial and with the addition of winkers (cheek pieces) we think that he can drop back in distance and still produce that lethal turn of foot that he’s got. He’s going to be a far better horse in the autumn and this little bit of extra experience can only do him a world of good.”

MALAHAT: “He’s a three-year-old who had good form last season. He holds a comfortable victory over Kementari in a maiden and since then he’s won against older horses at the midweeks. With the addition of blinkers and the engagement of a top jockey he can certainly find a few lengths.”

VIRIDINE: “He was last seen winning the Roman Consul Stakes, a race that’s been used as a lead up to the Coolmore quite effectively in the past by horses like Japonisme and Brazen Beau. We’d love to see this horse get the job done as well. He’s a very fast colt and we’ve been delighted with his training. He comes into this third up and ready to hit an absolute peak. He needs to have gone ahead if he’s going to be winning, but we feel like he’s done that. He looks a particularly happy horse and very healthy within himself.”

Race 7 – G1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m)

ASTORIA: “It will be exciting to see Astoria out to that distance for the first time. It’s a great test of character and fortitude for a young horse. What we are confident about is that Astoria has had a terrific grounding to be running well at the 2500m, not only off a 2200m run last start, but he’s had plenty of racing this preparation. He’s a classy colt and is now back to set weights after giving weight away in the Geelong Derby trial. The fact that he’s got enough class to win over a mile at Group level which he did second up in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle is a big factor in his favour on Saturday. But he’s still going to have to go to a new level on Saturday.”