Confidence ahead of Eagle Farm return

Queensland trainers have shown their confidence in the Eagle Farm track with 207 nominations for Saturday's meeting, which will be the first at the track in over 18 months.

Respected track curator Mick Goodie has been working as a consultant on the re-laying of Eagle Farm's turf over the past nine months and is delighted with how it has developed.

“I think the Eagle Farm track will be the equivalent to how Flemington, Sandown, Caulfield or Moonee Valley races,” Goodie told Racing.com.

“I think Victoria were the leaders in respect of the clubs building these super tracks, spending a lot of their own money, expertise and work power.”

“It’s good to see this has worked for Racing Queensland and the Brisbane Racing Club this time around. It should be an enjoyable experience for the stakeholders.”

The rail will be in the true position for Saturday’s meeting, after which the state of the track will be closely assessed.

“The track will have almost month off after Saturday (next meeting on January 19) just to do a light renovation. We’ll verti-drain, top-dress and then assess the recovery of the track,” Goodie said.

“Tracks with sand profiles require 100 per cent of your attention, you can’t afford to take your eye off the ball at all."

“Maintaining these tracks can be quite mentally demanding, you’ve got switched on and at the top of your game."

Cummings to go separate ways

Ed Cummings has confirmed he will branch out on his own and will end his training partnership with his father Anthony early in the New Year.

Only a couple of days after the pair achieved their greatest success with the win of Sky Boy (Pendragon {NZ}) in the G2 Villiers S., the younger Cummings has confirmed he is set to go his own way.

"I'll probably be out at Camden for a few months, and then head over to Hawkesbury," he told RSN.

"I've had certain assurances provided to me by Greg Rudolph there out at Hawkesbury that I'm high on the list of potential candidates to take over a portion of the new boxes that they're looking to build over the next few months."

"I'm looking at taking 25 boxes at Hawkesbury. The response has so far been very positive. It might take a month, two months to fill those boxes, it might take less, but I'm sure with good practice, good staff and a smooth a transition as possible, it won't take long for people to feel comfortable about sending horses our way."

Anthony and Edward Cummings have trained in partnership since the 2016-17 season.

Winx call to come on Thursday

A decision of the racing future of superstar mare Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) is expected this week.

Part-owner Peter Tighe has confirmed to RSN.net.au that trainer Chris Waller has called a meeting for this Thursday, where all the options will be canvassed including retirement.

“She might want to race on, she might want to be a mother, although all indications are that she is ready to race on,” he said.

“Chris has just got back from overseas and I was going to be in Sydney anyway so we thought it was a good idea to get together and sum up the views of the vets, the key staff, the riders.”

Winx has returned to Waller's stables in Sydney to build up towards a possible autumn campaign.

Bostonian ready for Railway

Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux {NZ}) is spot on for his shot at the G1 Sistema Railway at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

Trainer Tony Pike gave the talented 4-year-old, who won the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe late last month, a gallop between races over the weekend and is pleased with what he saw.

“He’s thrived since his fresh-up run,” Pike said. “His coat wasn’t through when he ran in the Counties Bowl, but he’s come on a lot from that and he looks really well."

“He enjoyed his day out and had a nice hit-out. It was perfect leading into the Railway.”

Winner of seven of his ten starts. including the G3 Sunshine Coast Guineas in the winter, the Bostonian was timed to run the final 800m of his work in 47.72 and the last 600m in 34.83.

Oaks a chance for Tiger Silk

Trainer Richard Collett wants to take a patient approach with his filly Tiger Silk (All American), but he does feel she would make a lovely New Zealand Oaks prospect come March.

Tiger Silk staged a last-to-first win at Ellerslie on Sunday and while Collett was keen to keep a lid on things, he sees her obvious potential, having won her last two in impressive fashion.

“We’ve taken her along quietly and I think we will continue doing that as she is learning all the time,” Collett said.

“She could have run as a two-year-old but strained a muscle, so we put her aside to let her strengthen some more."

“She’s done a few things wrong along the way, but with the blinkers on last time she went better and a tongue tie also helped her."

“She was still a little hesitant to take a gap at the 300m but more racing should help her with that issue."

“The day out at Ellerslie was also a big learning curve for her which will stand her in good stead for future assignments.”

The G1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham in March is a possible longer-term target.

"She has got some good staying blood on her dam’s side so we think she will get a trip as she matures,” Collett said.

“At the moment we might be back for a race over the Ellerslie Christmas Carnival and then we will look at an Oaks campaign if she shows she is up to it.”