Picture: Steve Hart
James Cummings says a Randwick success this weekend can be an vital confidence-boost for Zardozi.
Godolphin has a wealth of lofty targets within the mixing pot for VRC Oaks winner Zardozi, however a win within the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick is first on the agenda.
The mare will line up for her second run of the spring in Saturday’s characteristic mile after returning with an encouraging midfield effort behind Through Sistina within the Winx Stakes (1400m) final month.
James Cummings is eager to see her rise to the problem as he considers a variety of carnival paths, with a plethora of races starting from the Golden Eagle (1500m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m) all on the desk.
“I’d say that is the kind of race that would preserve setting her up effectively for the spring that’s forward, which is a very open-looking whiteboard of choices in the intervening time,” Cummings stated.
“It will be somewhat extra of a confidence booster for whichever manner we’re heading if she will be able to preserve attending to the races and bettering and operating effectively like she did first-up.
“She goes even higher now at this stage of her marketing campaign than she was final time.”
Zardozi claimed the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) on the second run of her most up-to-date preparation earlier than happening to position behind Orchestral within the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Autumn Angel within the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).
Her Winx Stakes efficiency was indication she might make the required transition to open firm and Cummings stated she had solely gone ahead since.
“She is admittedly flying. We love the way in which she goes, that mare,” he stated.
“That is nearly too good a race for her second-up.”
Bookmakers agree and he or she is a transparent minimize $2.10 favorite for the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), whereas Cummings can also be upbeat in regards to the prospects of Aft Cabin ($8) within the Concorde Stakes (1000m) as he returns for the primary time since present process a big gear change.
“We’d wish to assume he’s a brand-new racehorse this preparation having been freshly gelded, and I like the way in which he has gone about his work in two public trials since,” Cummings stated.
“On the energy of his effort within the Problem Stakes first-up final preparation, he’s a really attention-grabbing probability in what’s a really sturdy Concorde.”
Cummings additionally believes Purple Card ($21) can “run a race” within the dash, which is the primary puzzle piece in Godolphin’s quest to discover a runner for its Everest slot following the latest retirement of No. 1 seed In Secret.
“We’ve obtained time, and we’ll take our time,” Cummings stated of an Everest choice.
“We’ll get via the Concorde this weekend, we will get via the Run To The Rose subsequent weekend, and we might be in a much better place to be extra knowledgeable about the place we’re heading so far as a pecking order goes.”
*Present prospects solely. 2nd Racing guess. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
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