Rich juvenile features lined up for Godolphin youngsters

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

James Cummings has a vast array of 2-year-old talent at his disposal and the Godolphin trainer will cover the bases as far as the rich summer and autumn prizes are concerned.

The unbeaten Tassort (Lonhro) is the market leader for next Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. at Caulfield while stablemate Microphone (Exceed And Excel) is heading in another direction.

Microphone posted his second win from three appearances in Victoria when he scored a hollow victory in the Listed Talindert S. and is now set for a road trip.

“His win was quite promising again and I liked the way he kept driving to the line.” – James Cummings.

“We’re privileged to have all these horses and we get them to the races fit and happy and Microphone is no exception to that,” Cummings said.

“His win was quite promising again and I liked the way he kept driving to the line. I think he’s a horse that is well-suited to Sydney.

“A race like the Skyline S. coming up in a couple of weeks will be ideal for him. With only three runs under his belt, he’s still got upside to him.

“The Skyline sets up nicely for him and he did all his early education in Sydney.”

“The Skyline sets up nicely for him and he did all his early education in Sydney.” – James Cummings.

Microphone, whose juvenile barn mate Tenley (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) was an impressive debut winner at Randwick, won for the first time at Flemington last month before finishing runner-up in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview.

“That was a fighting effort behind a quality galloper I Am Immortal who’s backed that up by winning the Blue Diamond Prelude,” Cummings said.

Microphone cleared the gates quickly on Saturday and rider James McDonald was able to slot in behind his pace-making stablemate Lanigera (Denman) and take advantage of a run along the rail to quickly put the issue beyond doubt.

Microphone

“It worked out perfectly and he’s a beautifully, well-educated colt with a ton of ability,” McDonald said.

“It worked out perfectly and he’s a beautifully, well-educated colt with a ton of ability.” – James McDonald.

He’s a very good straight horse and he was dominant. He gave me a great feel and he’s definitely a colt for the future.”

Microphone has yet to run beyond 1100 metres, but McDonald said he will go further.

“He will run a strong 1200 metres. He switches of beautifully and he’s got an electric turn of foot. He does what he’s told and he’s very honest.”

“He switches of beautifully and he’s got an electric turn of foot.” – James McDonald.

Microphone is a son of the Listed Dark Jewel Classic winner Sung (Anabaa {USA}) and she is a sister to Yell. He was successful three times at Group 1 level in the Orr S., Australia S. and the Futurity S.

James McDonald returning to scale on Microphone

It is also the family of the G1 QTC Sires’ Produce S. winner and G1 Queensland Classic winner Anthems (Palace Music {USA}) and the G1 Canterbury S. winner Holler (Commands).

Runner-up to Microphone was the Snitzel filly Talented and she handled a rise in class from her Geelong win in fine style while third placegetter Charleise (Foxwedge) made an encouraging debut.

“She’s a nice, big filly and while she’s quite forward, there’s a lot of improvement in her.” – Ciaron Maher.

“We only gave her a quiet jump-out at home,” said Ciaron Maher, who trains Charleise with David Eustace.

“She’s a nice, big filly and while she’s quite forward, there’s a lot of improvement in her.

“She was bred by Chris and Jane Barham, who bred Merchant Navy and it looks like they’ve got another one. Segenhoe just keep churning them out.”