Trainer Ed Cummings’ mare a work of Arts
A setback interrupted carnival plans for stakes-winner Arts last season, but it might have also provided the slow-maturing mare with the extra time she needed.
The rising five-year-old will kick off her latest campaign in the ATC Thank You Stable Staff Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday, her first appearance at the races since October last year.
The winner of the 2023 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at just her third start, Arts went on to run fifth in Pennyweka’s ATC Australian Oaks on a seven-day back-up, those performances coming as a pleasant surprise to trainer Ed Cummings given the daughter of Xtravagant was far from the finished product.
“She was always that little bit backward and immature. Even when she won the Adrian Knox and ran well in the Oaks, it was well before her time,” Cummings said.
“The way she has come back in and the way she has been holding her condition and been able to take a bit more work, they’re all signs that she has matured.”
Arts had just three runs last spring before succumbing to an illness that forced connections to send her back to the spelling paddock.
While it was tough to take at the time, Cummings chose to look on the bright side, knowing the extended break would give her room to furnish.
“Stepping out from three-year-old fillies’ grade to open company is always a tough challenge and she probably wasn’t quite there physically to do that,” he said.
It is a more robust version of Arts who has returned to Cummings’ stable and while her build up has been gradual, he is much happier with the mare’s work since her latest barrier trial at Hawkesbury.
He expects a few rivals to be too sharp for her over Saturday’s 1300m journey, but Cummings views the race as a nice campaign starting point.
“It’s well short of her best (distance), but she should be hitting the line well,” he said.
“She will wear the winkers first-up over a shorter trip.
“I was pretty happy with her last trial and I’ve been much happier with her since then. She’d had a genuinely long break, six or eight months, and it always takes them a bit longer to work the rust out.”
Sam Clipperton has the ride on Arts, who has drawn barrier seven.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Mile test for Harry’s Yacht in 2026 Vobis Gold Reef
Will Larkin is confident the timing is right to test Harry’s Yacht over the mile when the gelding contests Saturday’s Vobis Gold Reef at Flemington. The four-year-old has enjoyed a strong preparation to date, registering two wins at benchmark level and adding two placings in Vobis races over 1200 metres. Training in...