Third time lucky in All Star Mile for Cascadian

Evergreen Godolphin galloper Cascadian will complete a clean sweep of All-Star Mile venues when he competes at Caulfield.

Saturday’s All-Star Mile (1600m) will be the third time Cascadian has competed in the race, having finished fifth to Zaaki at Flemington in 2022 then second to Mr Brightside last year at Moonee Valley.

Cascadian is returning to Caulfield for the first time since finishing third in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) in August 2022.

The rising 10-year-old has been a constant on the Melbourne and Sydney scenes, apart from one trip to Perth in December 2022, after starting his career in France in 2018.

Cascadian enters Saturday’s race after two runs in Sydney and trainer James Cummings says the gelding is ready to strike third-up.

“He’s had a solid grounding for the All-Star Mile this year,” Cummings said.

“Last year he went into the All-Star Mile second-up from a spell and this time he has that magic third-up pattern that Cascadian has reacted to before.

“Think of his Doncaster win, think of his Australian Cup win last year.

“This is going to be a race run at more than just a genuine tempo, the type of pace that is really going to test these horses from a long way out.

“I like that Cascadian has had the extra run to be ready for that.”

The pace is expected be on from the outset with Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River likely to be rolling along up front while Sara Ryan, trainer of NSW visitor Attractable, has said her galloper won’t be handing up the lead easily.

Cummings said Cascadian won’t be involved in early battle and will be strong late after having only one run last spring.

“He had the abbreviated preparation last time and is up and about now as the result of that,” Cummings said.

“We’ve sent him down to Melbourne this week in excellent condition, so there’s nothing for us to expect other than a very, very good effort.”