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Cummings Ready To Paint Gold Coast Blue

3 minute read

Godolphin trainer James Cummings is confident the three-horse team he will start at the Gold Coast on Saturday will produce some magic results for Sheikh Mohammed.

“I think they’ll all be competitive,” Cummings declared. “I was delighted with the way all of them worked on Tuesday and we’re really looking forward to seeing them run.”

Saturday marks the first time Godolphin-owned horses have competed in Magic Millions races at the Gold Coast, led by the juvenile filly Exhilarates in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m).

James Cummings
James Cummings Picture: Racing and Sports

Sheikh Mohammed will also see his famous blue silks carried by Tally and Manicure at the $10 million race meeting after they gained ‘wild card’ entries into the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (2200m) and $1 million Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m).

Exhilarates, by Snitzel from the multiple G1 winner Samaready, was a $600,000 purchase by Godolphin at the 2018 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast, making her eligible for Saturday’s MM Classic.

However Tally and Manicure had to win their way into their Gold Coast races as they are Darley homebreds and only gained their chance to compete following the introduction of wild card races that gave non Magic Millions sale graduates the chance to compete on Saturday’s program.

They both won their wild card races at Doomben on December 28, Tally taking out the MM Shoot Out over 2200m and Manicure recording an impressive first-up win in the Listed Nudgee Stakes.

Cummings is confident the Godolphin team will not let him down on Saturday, especially Exhilarates after her win at the Gold Coast last Saturday shot her to the top of Magic Millions Classic betting.

“The run she got last start was the best she’s had in a race so far and it was also her best performance,” Cummings said.

“I think we can rely on her to run well again. She got the added advantage of having a look at the track.

“She’s one of the big improvers, her work has been very good and she’s ready to go.”

Manicure
Manicure Picture: Racing and Sports

Cummings is not downplaying the importance of having Exhilarates represent Sheikh Mohammed in the Magic Millions Classic after Godolphin re-entered the yearling sale market last year.

“Buying a yearling and having it turn out as she has is not easy to do, particularly when you appreciate that 3000 yearlings were sold at Magic Millions sales last year,” Cummings said.

“She’s the best-bred filly that we bought. We were setting out to broaden our horizons and diversify our bloodstock.”

Cummings expects Manicure to make further improvement from her classy Doomben win.

“She’s open to improvement so this should suit her beautifully second up,” he said.

Cummings says honest stayer Tally is well placed in his race on Saturday despite his big weight of 61kg.

“I think he’s quite well-placed and I think he’s got one run left in the tank,” he said.

“I think he can be extremely competitive. It hasn’t come out of the blue, he’s been going beautifully in training.”

Tally
Tally Picture: Racing and Sports


Racing and Sports

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