Godolphin looking for Contemporary edge to start season
A pair of Group One wins by Broadsiding have been among the season highlights for trainer James Cummings and he will again be looking to the young colt to fly the stable flag this spring.
Following the retirement of weight-for-age superstar Anamoe last year, Godolphin had a significant void to fill and reflecting on the season that was, Cummings said he was proud of his team’s efforts to claim seven majors.
They included the Champagne Stakes and JJ Atkins with Broadsiding and the Newmarket Handicap with Cylinder, who subsequently joined Anamoe on the Darley roster.
“The last twelve months, the most important highlights for the business had to be the colts, Cylinder and Broadsiding,” Cummings said.
“But Cascadian winning another Australian Cup was heartwarming.
“It has been good to consolidate on what was an outstanding season last year and with the retirement of some key horses, our expectations were lowered.
“But our motivation was as strong as ever, so I think we’ve done really well with what we’ve had in front of us.”
The future is also looking bright, with Broadsiding a clear-cut favourite for both the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and Caulfield Guineas (1600m) this spring and on the second line of early markets for the Cox Plate (2040m), behind only top mare Pride Of Jenni.
With the midweek meeting at Warwick Farm closing the curtain on the 2023-24 season, Godolphin will be out to make an immediate impact to start the new term with four runners across Rosehill and Flemington on Saturday.
Heuristic will represent the stable in the southern capital, while consistent gelding Contemporary will headline their Rosehill squad in the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1300m).
Contemporary has won three of his past four starts, resuming with a Randwick victory in July before beating all but Jedibeel last time out, although he will face a fresh challenge on Saturday when he is tested beyond 1200m for the first time.
Astern mare Nanshe, who lines up in the Congratulations Zac Lloyd Handicap (1400m), and dual acceptor Dipsy Doodle round out Godolphin’s Rosehill contingent.
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...