James Cummings predicts Rosy future for emerging Tarpaulin

Posted by RS NewsWire at 2:43pm on July 27th

James Cummings will give brilliant Randwick winner Tarpaulin an opportunity to chime into the early carnival races, nominating a Golden Rose lead-up as the colt's immediate target.

Starting a $1.80 betting app favourite, the youngster demolished his rivals in Saturday's Ranvet Handicap (1100m), cruising to the front at the top of the straight and zipping clear to defeat Sakima ($6) by 2-1/2 lengths with early leader Ride The River ($20) best of the rest, another 6-1/4 lengths away third.

The performance followed Tarpaulin's impressive maiden victory in midweek grade earlier this month and Cummings said the timing was right to test him in better company.

"He is exciting. He cruised up to them with such an effortless stride," Cummings said.

"That is a good progression from putting away a handy maiden field and I liked the win of the runner-up Sakima ten days ago when she was excellent.

"To put the margin on that field today, I think that bodes well for his prospects in a race like the Rosebud. Hopefully he doesn't go up too much in weight for the sake of the win."

The Listed Rosebud (1100m) is on August 17 and is one of the early lead-ups to the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28.

While Tarpaulin will need to raise the bar again to be competitive at black-type level, winning jockey James Mcdonald has no doubts he has the attributes to make a successful transition.

"He's got a lethal turn of foot," McDonald said.

"He really moves through the ground and he's got a killer will to win, so he is up at the right time.

"He is a bit better than this and he will measure up in whatever he runs in."

Tarpaulin is by Darley stallion Harry Angel, who is also the sire of Godolphin's Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten.

Cummings is a fan of the breed and is adamant the young sire can continue to make his mark through the likes of Tarpaulin.

"One thing I will say about the Harry Angels, for the mares he has had so far he is doing a very good job," Cummings said.

"He is yet another promising colt that he has got out and about and it's exciting for the team."

More Racing News

Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup

Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...

Yesterday

Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend

Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...

Yesterday

Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip

Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...

Yesterday

Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes

Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...

Dec 4th

Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa

Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...

Dec 4th

Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes

Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...

Dec 4th

SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup

Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...

Dec 4th

Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win

Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...

Dec 4th

Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes

Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...

Dec 3rd

Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer

Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...

Dec 3rd