Zardozi in line for 2024 Caulfield Cup honours

A narrow defeat then a failed protest bid in a Group 1 contest may just give Godolphin mare Zardozi a weight edge in the Caulfield Cup.

Zardozi was beaten in a photo finish in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5 before apprentice Zac Lloyd lodged a protest against the winner Land Legend.

After a lengthy delay, that protest was dismissed, however Land Legend, a Caulfield Cup opponent in the Group 1 race over 2400m on Saturday, received a 1kg penalty for the victory.

Zardozi’s trainer James Cummings said he was delighted with the mare, adding she was in Saturday’s handicap 5kg under the weight benchmark for a mare.

“She was beaten on the day, but she’s now in (the race) between one and three kilos light in the Caulfield Cup, and I think that will read pretty well in the form guide,” Cummings said.

Zardozi won the VRC Oaks (2500m) last November and was beaten three-quarters-of-a-length in the Australian Oaks (2400m) in April.

Cummings said he does not fear taking Zardozi to Caulfield for the first time where she will jump from barrier 12 with international jockey Andrea Atzeni aboard.

Zardozi is a dual Flemington winner at 1600m and 2500m with a placing over 2000m as well.

“I cast my mind back to 12 months ago, how beautifully she adapted to the Melbourne way,” Cummings said.

“She arguably might be just a little bit better, might be ready to run a better race Melbourne way.

“And her form at 2400 metres is exemplary.”

While the Caulfield Cup may not look the strongest race on paper, Cummings is quick to point out that it is not the easiest race to win.

Cummings said previous runners Hartnell and Avilius both loomed as winning chances only to get shut out at vital stages.

He is hoping for third time lucky with one of the few gallopers in his stable that has shown middle distance ability and has gone from a classy three-year-old filly to holding her own in open age races.

“She was our only nomination for the Melbourne Cup,” Cummings said.

“We’re very impressed with the way she’s elevated into racing in open-class handicaps against the older horses, the way she did in the Metropolitan,” Cummings said.

As for the Melbourne Cup, Cummings wants to get through Saturday’s race before thinking about the Flemington 3200m contest on November 5.

It was another 3200m Cup, the Sydney Cup, where the choice of Atzeni was planted.

Atzeni won the Sydney Cup on Circle Of Fire, following a ride that stuck in Cummings’ mind.

“He had Circle of Fire travel so beautifully for him in the Sydney Cup,” Cummings said.

“When jockeys get opportunities like that, those types of rides stick in your mind.

“I didn’t have a runner in the Sydney Cup, but I paid attention to his performance that day and a little birdie gave me the tip off that he might be available after our run in the Metropolitan, so I was quick to engage his services.”