Chelmsford Stakes a fork in the road for Zardozi

Godolphin has a wealth of lofty targets in the mixing pot for VRC Oaks winner Zardozi, but a win in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick is first on the agenda.

The mare will line up for her second run of the spring in Saturday’s feature mile after returning with an encouraging midfield effort behind Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last month.

James Cummings is keen to see her rise to the challenge as he considers a number of carnival paths, with a plethora of races ranging from the Golden Eagle (1500m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m) all on the table.

“I’d say this is the type of race that could keep setting her up well for the spring that is ahead, which is a really open-looking whiteboard of options at the moment,” Cummings said.

“It would be a little more of a confidence booster for whichever way we’re heading if she can keep getting to the races and improving and running well like she did first-up.

“She is going even better now at this stage of her campaign than she was last time.”

Zardozi claimed the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at the second run of her most recent preparation before going on to place behind Orchestral in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Autumn Angel in the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).

Her Winx Stakes performance was indication she could make the necessary transition to open company and Cummings said she had only gone forward since.

“She is really flying. We love the way she is going, that mare,” he said.

“This is almost too good a race for her second-up.”

Bookmakers agree and she is a clear cut $2.10 favourite for the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), while Cummings is also upbeat about the prospects of Aft Cabin ($8) in the Concorde Stakes (1000m) as he returns for the first time since undergoing a significant gear change.

“We’d like to think he’s a brand-new racehorse this preparation having been freshly gelded, and I like the way he has gone about his work in two public trials since,” Cummings said.

“On the strength of his effort in the Challenge Stakes first-up last preparation, he’s a very interesting chance in what is a very strong Concorde.”

Cummings also believes Red Card ($21) can “run a race” in the sprint, which is the first puzzle piece in Godolphin’s quest to find a runner for its Everest slot following the recent retirement of No. 1 seed In Secret.

“We’ve got time, and we will take our time,” Cummings said of an Everest decision.

“We’ll get through the Concorde this weekend, we can get through the Run To The Rose next weekend, and we will be in a far better position to be more informed about where we’re heading as far as a pecking order goes.”