Gelded Golden Mile ‘flying’ ahead of return in the Liverpool City Cup
James Cummings and Godolphin may have hoped Golden Mile would make his mark in the breeding barn, but the gelding remains an important figure within their team.
The son of Astern will take the next step in his racing career this Saturday in the $250,000 Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick.
Golden Mile, a winner of the 2022 Caulfield Guineas, briefly stood at Sheikh Mohammed’s Northwood Park in Victoria at a fee of $16,500 but was retired from stud duty and gelded after suffering an injury following 14 mares covered.
He joins a select group of Group 1 Guineas winners, such as Kementari, who returned to racing after a short stint at stud. Cummings is eager to see how Golden Mile performs this weekend.
“We’d be thrilled to see him convert on what he’s been showing us on the track over the past couple of months,” Cummings said.
The Liverpool City Cup will be Golden Mile’s first appearance since his third-place finish in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on May 4, 2023. He has won five races and earned more than $4.3 million in his career.
Golden Mile will carry 58.5kg, with Adam Hyeronimus aboard, and will start from barrier six in the Liverpool City Cup. He is currently priced at $11 with betting apps.
Golden Mile’s preparation included a quiet trial before an impressive win over 900m at Warwick Farm on February 11.
“The horse has been flying and feeling good,” said Cummings.
“No one has a higher opinion of Golden Mile’s progress at Osborne Park than Golden Mile himself,” Cummings quipped.
“I love the way he’s been trialling from one trial to the next,” he added.
Alongside Golden Mile, Cummings will have Snitzel two-year-old Comedy at Randwick in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes, a key race leading toward the Golden Slipper on March 22.
“I just love Comedy stretching out in distance, he’ll eat up the ground,” Cummings said.
“Three weeks could be a crucial period for him to be a real contender in the Golden Slipper,” he continued.
“He’s been doing everything to suggest he’d be competitive in the Skyline Stakes,” Cummings added.
Comedy will be ridden by Josh Parr, who will guide him from barrier seven, and is expected to be a strong challenger to the undefeated favourite Shaggy, who has won all three of his races so far.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
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...