Corniche to come out swinging at Rosehill
First-up Vain Stakes winner Cylinder has been touted as Godolphin’s flagship sprinting colt for the spring, but stablemate Corniche might just be the stable’s forgotten horse.
The three-year-old will launch his preparation in an intriguing renewal of the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, the race having attracted a capacity 13-horse field that also includes his barn mate Barber and the undefeated Libertad.
As a juvenile, Corniche placed in two Blue Diamond Stakes lead-ups before claiming the scalp of subsequent Golden Slipper winner Shinzo in the Skyline Stakes.
He was then spelled and missed the Slipper, but trainer James Cummings hoped that might prove a blessing.
“A horse like Corniche was perhaps a little underestimated early on and he’s gone to the paddock a last start winner,” Cummings said.
“We looked after him when I wasn’t quite happy with him and he would have gone into the Slipper looking pretty good, having beaten the impressive Pago Pago winner (Shinzo) the start before.
“But I think we did the right thing at the time, and we get the opportunity to see whether or not he’s going to improve vastly as a three-year-old in the spring.
“He’s certainly got the pedigree to improve a lot and he’s looked good in the trials.”
Corniche has drawn barrier six in the San Domenico and will be partnered by Nash Rawiller, with Josh Parr aboard stablemate and Blue Diamond Prelude winner Barber, who also tackles the feature first-up.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will have three runners, headlined by Rosebud placegetters Introducing and The Instructor, while trainer Annabel Neasham and jockey Chad Schofield will chase back-to-back San Domenicos with Libertad after combining to claim the feature 12 months ago with Sweet Ride.
Corniche finished third over 1000m at Moonee Valley at his only other first-up run, and with the benefit of two recent trials, Cummings is anticipating a bold return.
“He’s got the look of a boxer about him, that horse, and hopefully he can come out swinging first-up,” Cummings said.
Godolphin will also be represented in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) by Fernhill Mile winner Tom Kitten.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...