Cup hopes trekking well for Cummings
JAMES Cummings is poised to win the Kingsford Smith Cup back-to-back today and set the stable up for a red hot Stradbroke tilt as he aims to cap a memorable year for the Australian arm of global giant Godolphin.
Cummings’ Kingsford Smith arsenal was left with Trekking and Encryption last night after Home Of The Brave was scratched because of an elevated temperature.
Cummings won last year’s Kingsford Smith with Impending and described today’s renewal as a “mouth-watering contest” aided by the mystery surrounding Dubious.
“The race is a beauty and I think we can be strong. We have winning chances in an open rendition,” he said.
Cummings dismissed any concerns about Trekking stepping from handicap grade to weight for age.
“They are not born weight for age horses, they need to develop into weight for age horses and this horse has done exactly that,” he said.
“Trekking is in outstanding form. He’s just loved these dry tracks and he’s going to enjoy an energy conserving run throughout from barrier one.”
From a business point of view, the exquisitely bred Encryption, a son of Lonhro from the multiple Group 1winning mare Guelph, would be the stable’s best result today, but if not, in the Stradbroke in a fortnight.
“There’s not too many colts with his pedigree going to stud this season,” Cummings said.
“He’s at the bottom of the eighth innings as far as his career is concerned and I think he’s got a knockout blow in him. It will be interesting to see how he performs at weight for age here in the lead-up to the handicap two weeks later. I’m sure he’s got the ability to mix it with these horses.”
The trainer rates Fred Best Classic contender Pohutukawa an outstanding chance today as she looks to bigger targets later in the carnival.
Cummings is now well established in the Godolphin role, having trained 12 Group 1 winners (seven this season) since starting with the Blue Army nearly two years ago.
“It’s a pretty good workshop for someone that’s trying to master their craft,” he said.
TREKKING IS IN OUTSTANDING FORM. HE’S LOVED THESE DRY TRACKS
JAMES CUMMINGS