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Cummings keen on Concorde upset

3 minute read

Godolphin’s head trainer believes the rougher of his two Concorde Stakes runners can bob up.

Trainer : JAMES CUMMINGS after, AFT CABIN winning the FUJITSU GENERAL ESKIMO PRINCE STAKES
Trainer : JAMES CUMMINGS after, AFT CABIN winning the FUJITSU GENERAL ESKIMO PRINCE STAKES Picture: Martin King / Sportpix

James Cummings won't be surprised to see unheralded mare Zapateo spoil the party when she takes on some big-name sprinters in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick. 

The multiple Group winner has a handy strikerate of seven victories from 18 starts but significantly, is proven over Saturday's 1000-metre journey, a statistic Cummings says can prove a key factor in her clash with speedsters Eduardo and Nature Strip. 

Additionally, Zapateo has an outstanding first-up record with two wins and a second from four fresh runs, the only blot to her copybook coming in the Oakleigh Plate last campaign when she was luckless from an awkward draw. 

"I could be wrong, but I think that horse could win that race," Cummings said of Zapateo. 

"1000-metre races for 1000-metre horses, she has won (over the distance) around Moonee Valley, she's got a wonderful fresh record - put the pen through the first-up run in the Oakleigh Plate last prep, nothing went right. 

"She finds herself in a ten-horse field where she can be in a prominent position early. She is trialling like a sharp horse." 

Zapateo will be one of two Godolphin runners resuming in Saturday's Concorde Stakes (1000m), along with dual Group 1 winner In Secret, who is on trial for the global conglomerate's Everest slot. 

The latter is also adept fresh but has never raced under 1100m and Cummings will be pleased to see her doing her best work late. 

"Surely this race will be just too quick for her, 1000-metres, but she is coming back well and she will be ready to run a race fresh," Cummings said. 

"If she can just find a way to tack on and get the first half right, and still be within striking distance of being a threat when she makes her run with 300 to go, it would make things interesting. 

"A win would be a bit scary considering how much better she will be over six furlongs." 

Kerrin Mcevoy partners Zapateo while last year's champion Sydney apprentice Zac Lloyd gets a Group 1 opportunity aboard In Secret. 


Racing and Sports

Randwick

Saturday, 02nd September 2023

7
15:15
(local)

SOUTHERN CROSS GROUP CONCORDE STAKES (G3)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
AUD $1,001,000
1000m TURF SOFT
7
15:15
(local)
AUD $1,001,000
1000m SOFT

SOUTHERN CROSS GROUP CONCORDE STAKES (G3)

Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 9. REMARQUE (AUS) 5yo G
SNITZEL (AUS) - RESPONSE (AUS)
TYLER SCHILLER
M, W & J HAWKES
$4.4
56kg
Ladbrokes Racing Club (Mgr: R J Stanaway), Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Mgr: J M Messara) & K Yoshida

Sales Information

2nd 5. IN SECRET (AUS) 4yo M
I AM INVINCIBLE (AUS) - ELOPING (AUS)
ZAC LLOYD
JAMES CUMMINGS
$4
58.5kg
Godolphin

Sales Information

3rd 6. BELLA NIPOTINA (AUS) 6yo M
PRIDE OF DUBAI (AUS) - BELLA ORFANA (AUS)
BEN MELHAM
CIARON MAHER & DAVID EUSTACE
$6
58kg
M Christian, Ms S Miller, Mrs P Christian, A Ingersole, M Johnston, Porter Pelchen Bloodstock (Mgr: W Pelchen) & B Christian

Sales Information

4th 3. EDUARDO (AUS) 10yo G
HOST (CHI) - BLUSHING (AUS)
NASH RAWILLER
JOSEPH PRIDE
$8
59.5kg
5th 7. ROCKETING BY (AUS) 6yo G
SO YOU THINK (NZ) - ACROSS THE MOON (AUS)
JASON COLLETT
DAVID PFIEFFER
$31
58kg

Sales Information

6th 1. NATURE STRIP (AUS) 9yo G
NICCONI (AUS) - STRIKELINE (AUS)
JAMES MCDONALD
CHRIS WALLER
$2.8
60.5kg

Sales Information

7th 11. CASINO LORD (AUS) 6yo G
CASINO PRINCE (AUS) - GRAND LADY (AUS)
RACHEL KING
CODY MORGAN
$151
56kg
8th 2. SHELBY SIXTYSIX (AUS) 7yo G
TORONADO (IRE) - STORM KITE (AUS)
NICK HEYWOOD
DANNY WILLIAMS
$151
60kg

Sales Information

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