Cummings confident despite tough draw
DUBAI: Godolphin sprinters Paulele and Vilana have both drawn poorly in the G1 Kingsford-smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but head trainer James Cummings said he wouldn’t be surprised to see either win the weight-for-age feature over 1,300m.
Paulele, already a G1 winner of the G1 Winterbottom Stakes in Perth, has Ben Melham in the saddle and has drawn barrier 16.
Vilana, chasing his first victory at the highest level, will be ridden by James Mcdonald and drew 13.
But both horses could come in three gates if the emergencies don’t gain a run.
With his place on the Darley stallion roster secured, Paulele could be having his final start.
Beaten under a half-length in the G2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm (1,200m) four weeks ago, Paulele has thrived in Queensland and Cummings expects to see the handsome chestnut storming down outside in the home straight — just as he did in the Winterbotom.
“We can’t have him much beter and it’s a great opportunity for him at 1,300m, regardless of the barrier, to get into a position to launch his lethal turn of foot,” the trainer said.
“We’d love to see him run right up to his excellent training and his outstanding physical appearance.
“I would say he’s really flying and ready to run a big race.
“If he did jump out of the ground and win, don’t forget he does hold that nomination for the Stradbroke.
“But at weight-for-age where he’s so well suited, this is the race we’d like to win.” While a G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1,400m) start next month is still a possibility, with eight wins and six placings from 23 starts and more than $2.4 million in his prize money account, Paulele has earned a stud career.
“There will be a bitersweet feeling about saddling him up at the weekend,” Cummings said.
“He’s a five-time Group winner, he’s got the G1 weight-for-age sprint under his belt.
“He won two races pre-christmas as a juvenile and he’s a Roman Consul Stakes winner in a time (1min 8.59sec) faster than Exceed And Excel.
“Imagine if he could be the next Exceed And
Excel on our roster?” Vilana could also cement his spot in the Darley breeding barn if he wins his first G1.
Winner of the Silver Eagle and The Hunter last spring, the four-year-old finished less than 3.5 lengths behind the outstanding Giga Kick over 1,200m two weeks ago and looks much beter suited at 1,300m on a bigger track.
“We found a very very strong race last time in the Doomben 10,000 and I think he can improve vastly when he gets to Eagle Farm when he’s not up against Giga Kick and Mazu,” Cummings said. “I think the gate could really work in his favour. “If he is able to get the sort of run up there, but not locked away inside horses, it could work out well.
“He’s won at the track in the Fred Best Classic 12 months ago and I loved his resuming run in the Hall Mark Stakes.
“On the smaller track at Doomben he wasn’t as agile and I think he’s ready to run an improved race this time.” Like Paulele, Vilana goes into the Cup third-up and could seal his spot in the Stradbroke with a good performance.
“He’s been looking good this week, marching around the track at Eagle Farm,” Cummings said.
“He’s been promising to step up in a G1 and we’ve held him back.
“When others are not that comfortable at Eagle Farm, we know Vilana has handled the track before.
“It gives him the opportunity to lay down his claim for a crack at the Stradbroke Handicap two weeks later.” Cummings has also accepted with Character (Ben Thompson), Alcyone (Tim Clark), Sandpaper (Melham), Atmosphere (Opie Bosson) and Hellfest (Clark) in Stakes races at Eagle Farm.
Character and third emergency Alcyone are entered in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup over 1,800m.
Sandpaper and Atmosphere will run in the G3 Fred Best Classic (1,400m), while Hellfest tackles the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1,200m) against the fillies and mares.