Godolphin's Zardozi looks to extend winning streak at Australian Cup

Godolphin and James Cummings will chase a third straight win in the Australian Cup when Zardozi steps out in the Group 1 contest on Saturday.

Cascadian won the 2000m weight-for-age contest in 2023 and again last year, both times with Ben Melham in the saddle.

This year Jamie Melham chases her second win in the Australian Cup partnering with Zardozi, after Harlem in 2019 provided the then Jamie Kah with her first Group 1 success.

Whereas Cascadian was an old warhorse for the Godolphin team, Zardozi is still finding her way despite having a Group 1 win to her credit.

Cummings expects the rise to 2000m and a return to Flemington being beneficial for Zardozi after her late closing second to Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on March 15.

“Zardozi has been in tough races, so we are quite bullish that we’ve got her going very well,” Cummings said.

“In preparing Zardozi for the Australian Cup, we have been focusing on process over prize.”

“The report from the training of the mare between runs is that when she gets to the three-furlong pole at Caulfield, she takes some encouraging to pick up the bit and get balanced, but when she gets to the three-furlong pole at Flemington, it’s a different ball game.

“Hopefully this weekend is an opportunity to open up the apertures for her liking for Flemington.”

Spelled after finishing fourth to Knight’s Choice in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last November, Zardozi will be having her fourth run back in the Australian Cup.

Finishing last over 1400m in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick on February 15, Zardozi made her way to Melbourne to run third in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before her last start second at Caulfield.

“She’s had the right campaign for the Australian Cup, and we are quite comfortable where we are right now,” Cummings said.

After Saturday, Cummings will reassess the mare before deciding on where she heads.

Zardozi is entered in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick on Saturday week and also holds nominations in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m), the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and the Sydney Cup (3200m), all on April 12.

“I’m open-minded about where we go next,” Cummings said.

“She also holds an entry for the Sydney Cup, but perhaps not coming through the mile-and-a-half races this year into the Sydney Cup may not be right, but that’s still an option for her.

“We’ll get through this weekend first and she could even go straight to the paddock, but we’ll decide that next week.”