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
Gold Coast trial to sharpen Magic Time for the Kingsford Smith Cup
Michael Dee is heading to the Gold Coast to trial multiple Group 1 winning mare Magic Time ahead of her first run in Brisbane. The Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 1 is the race trainer Grahame Begg has picked out to run Magic Time in first-up in Brisbane,...
Kovalica to relish G1 Doomben Cup trip
The anniversary of Kovalica’s biggest success comes up in the next week and Chris Waller is hoping to celebrate the milestone with another Brisbane Group 1 win. The four-year-old son of Ocean Park will chase his first win since last year’s Queensland Derby when he steps out in this Saturday’s $1 million...
Shinn to make Sydney trip for Think About It trial
Blake Shinn will make the trip to Sydney to partner Think About It in a barrier trial as he prepares for his first race ride on the Everest winner. Sam Clipperton has been the gelding’s regular jockey over the past 15 months, but connections decided to make a change following a disappointing Sydney autumn...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...