Cascadian lands a second G1 Australian Cup
Trainer James Cummings and jockey Ben Melham have combined to claim back-to-back victories in the Australian Cup at Flemington.
Like he did 12 months ago, Godolphin galloper Cascadian backed up from a placing in the All-Star Mile (1600m) to claim to the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest on Saturday.
Cascadian ($7.50) wore down the leader Pride Of Jenni ($3.60) to score by a half-head with Atishu ($4.80) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
Melham said his confidence grew in Cascadian when he paraded the nine-year-old on his way to the barrier.
“I tell you what, if I could ever declare a horse on the way to the barrier, this is him,” Melham said.
“He couldn’t have been in better order which gave me the confidence to ride him like I wanted to.
“He loves pinching runs and sneaking around the place and to see horses his age still beating the best horses in the land, at this trip, is phenomenal to see.
“It’s a massive feat for him to win two in a row.”
Cascadian followed the deeds of Harlem in 2018 & 2019 to land back-to-back victories in the Australian Cup.
Cummings’ assistant trainer Nacim Delmi said the Godolphin team knew tactics would be tricky with Pride Of Jenni engaged in the race.
Pride Of Jenni was given time to find the lead before gradually increasing the tempo from the 800m mark, leading by five lengths turning for home.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare was still three lengths in front at 300m mark and wasn’t grabbed until the shadows of the post.
“We knew tactics were going to be tricky obviously with Pride Of Jenni over the 2000 metres and Declan (Bates) rode a great race,” Delmi said.
“But the tempo suited him (Cascadian) perfectly. When they came up to the top of the straight and he was travelling we knew he was going to give it a good shake.
“Once he peeled out and Ben Melham timed it perfectly, it was great.”
Delmi said Cascadian was an easy horse to deal with and seemed to be getting better with age.
“He (officially) turned nine on Tuesday,” Delmi said.
“He carries on like a young horse and he’s still got so much racing in him.
“He’s just such a good horse to have in the stables. You’d love to have ten of him in the stables.”
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...