HAT-TRICK IN PIPELINE
Cylinder has inspired star jockey Jamie Kah’s bid for a Group 1 Saturday hat-trick.
Kah has caused minor Group 1 upsets for the past two weekends with wins in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Hayasugi, $16) and Australian Guineas (Southport Tycoon, $19).
“Hopefully three in a row, that would be nice,” Kah said.
“It’s nice things going my way for once. Yes it is a confidence game, but you have to be on the right horses and it helps, obviously, riding good winners.”
Kah has worked and jumped out $1.5m Newmarket Handicap contender Cylinder multiple times in recent weeks, but none better than a straight course gallop on Tuesday.
Cylinder placed fifth in an 800m straight jumpout last Friday at Flemington behind Buenos Noches, but the work with a mate four days later was superior.
“I’ve done a heap of work on him lately and he’s bouncing off his head,” 11-time Group 1 winner Kah said.
“I was happy with his trial but his work was better, I thought he was a touch, not flat, but really quiet in his trial, but (on Tuesday) he was off his head, so happy with that.
“I could barely hold him in his gallop down the straight.”
Godolphin colt Cylinder is rated an $11 chance with TAB, behind Imperatriz ($2.50), Buenos Noches ($4.80), Magic Time ($7) and Bella Nipotina ($10).
Cylinder, as the only threeyear-old in the Newmarket, gets in with 51.5kg – a 6.5kg advantage on favourite Imperatriz. The Exceed And Excel colt was 2½ lengths behind Imperatriz last start in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, when only 1kg separated them.
“He gets in nice at the weights. Obviously it’s going to be a tough race and Imperatriz is flying,” Kah said.
“He’s going to have to be at his best but I feel like the team has really prepped him up well for this. His run the other day was encouraging, he hit the line well and crying out for 1200m.”
Trainer James Cummings said the handicap conditions were “perfect” for Cylinder.
“Dropping to 51.5kg for a horse who’s capable of being up there on the pace creating his own luck,” Cummings said.
“For a horse who is adaptable and has overcome bad luck to score over six furlongs, it can read pretty well.
“Since the Lightning, I’ve enjoyed seeing the horse tighten up in condition … he’s improved from that run and this week has been about putting the finishing touches on.
“Cylinder could be right there and it would be a huge effort for Cylinder to win the Newmarket and establish himself on the Darley stallion roster by doing so.”
A 12th career Group 1 success for Kah would be emotional and poignant 12 months after her nasty fall at Flemington.
Kah was set to ride Godolphin star In Secret in the Newmarket last year but clipped heels earlier on the card and sustained a severe concussion.
The late Dean Holland picked up the ride on short notice and completed a special victory.
Holland died in a race fall on April 24 last year.
The winning jockey on Saturday will be awarded the inaugural Dean Holland Trophy.