Daily News Wrap

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Cummings has first Group 1 runner

Edward Cummings, the grandson of legendary horseman Bart, has his first individual Group 1 runner engaged at this Saturday’s Championships Day 1 meeting.

Cummings will saddle up progressive colt Prompt Prodigy (NZ) (More Than Ready {USA}) in the G1 ATC Derby over 2400 metres, after the last start G2 Tulloch S. runner-up came through his beaten effort in good order.

“His work was pretty sharp this morning which was exciting,’’ Cummings told Racenet.

“I believe he will stay 2400 metres, it’s there in his breeding and certainly in the way he is racing so there is no reason to think he won’t.

“This colt is very much on the small side but he makes up for that with a bulldog attitude and it would be nice to see him belie his stature in the Derby.’’

Anamoe on target for Sires'

Last start G1 Golden Slipper S. runner-up Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) is primed ahead of his tilt at this Saturday’s G1 Sires' Produce S. according to trainer James Cummings.

Cummings confirmed the high-rating juvenile to be well within himself and ready to fire at his first attempt over 1400 metres.

Anamoe | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan

He said Anamoe is “crying” out for the step-up in trip and that he will appreciate drawing midfield in barrier five.

“Brilliance, speed and determination were stamped all over his Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper performances,” Cummings said.

“He is a very athletic colt and we have always felt he would get stronger with racing. The 1400 metres of the AJC Sires’ Produce appears tailor-made for him.”

Bivouac back to best

Godolphin head trainer James Cummings expects triple Group 1-winning entire Bivouac to return to his best in Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith S.

Cummings believes that the star sprinter has been dictated to by circumstance in his last two starts, saying that Bivouac is still a top-tier sprinter despite his recent failures.

Bivouac

“Three of his memorable, scintillating performances have come third-up from a spell and his Easter weekend trackwork suggests a jaw-dropping effort is on the cards. We simply couldn’t have him any better,” Cummings said.

“Physically he seems perfect. His attitude and demeanour show he is in a terrific frame of mind."

Cummings confirmed that a victory would see the 4-year-old head to Royal Ascot in June, in attempt to add the esteemed G1 King's Stand S. and the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. to his resume.

Ayrton eyes Queensland

Co-trainer Mick Kent Jnr has outlined June's G1 Stradbroke H. at Eagle Farm as this preparation’s main target for lightly raced 3-year-old Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Kent Jnr who trains in partnership with Mick Price described the undefeated gelding as the stable's most promising talent, saying that he could become “the best horse in Australia."

Ayrton (NZ)

"We have him nominated for the Stradbroke and there’s a 3-year-old 1400 metre race three weeks prior to that which we will use as a lead-up,” Kent Jnr told RSN927.

“If he doesn’t win that race to get in there’s a 3-year-old mile race on Stradbroke Day that we will go to.”

Lion's Roar primed for rebound

Leading hoop Brenton Avdulla expects G1 Randwick Guineas winner Lion's Roar (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) to make amends for his luckless last-start fourth when he steps out in Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby.

Avdulla has no concerns about drawing barrier 13 in a field of 16 saying that the wide draw is beneficial to his galloper’s chances.

Lion's Roar (NZ) (red cap)

"His work has been good, and he is ticking over well,” Avdulla told Racenet.

“He is not the flashest worker, so I just go more on his condition which is good. He handles all ground and has been aimed at the Derby all prep and I think Randwick will suit him better too.”

Platoon to finish Victorian campaign in style

WA-based trainer Neville Parnham is confident that highly rated gelding Platoon (Playing God) can round out his debut Victorian campaign in style this Saturday at Caulfield.

Parnham expects the last-start Listed Bendigo Golden Mile runner-up to prove hard to beat if he turns up in the condition he currently is in.

Parnham said that Platoon will return to Victoria next preparation for a raid on the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

"If he produced that sort of run again on Saturday, then you'd have to think he will be right in the mix," Parnham said.

"The only blotch for him so far (in his Melbourne campaign) has been the Australian Cup and that was probably a bridge too far for him at weight-for-age."

Spade to dig deeper for second Derby

The last-start failures of G1 New Zealand Derby placegetters Milford (NZ) (Savabeel) and The Frontman (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) have left leading co-trainer Lance O’Sullivan nervous about what lies ahead for stable star Rocket Spade (Fastnet Rock) in Saturday’s G1 Australian Derby.

Rocket Spade

O’Sullivan who trains in partnership with Andrew Scott confirmed the 4-year-old to be in fantastic order ahead of the 2400 metre feature, saying that it will offer an indication of where he is truly at.

“If they had been running close-up it would have given us a lot more encouragement,” O’Sullivan said.

“Whether they’ve had good runs into the race or not, I’m not too sure. Certainly, from our point of view it is a little bit disconcerting, but we won’t know for sure until the race.”

Concert Hall ready for staying test

New Zealand-based co-trainer Roger James has complete confidence in his top mare Concert Hall (NZ) (Savabeel), ahead of her tilt at the upcoming G1 Sydney Cup.

The 6-year-old arrived in Sydney on Monday for a two-race campaign, which will see her contest this Saturday’s G2 Chairman’s Quality prior to backing up in the two-mile Randwick feature.

Concert Hall (NZ)

James who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood said it wasn’t a lack of confidence in the mare’s staying ability that kept her away from stepping out beyond 2100 metres on more occasions.

“I’ve always thought she would get two miles. It was always one of the options for her,” said James.

“She’s been going so well at middle distances that I haven’t had to run her at longer distances. But she’s in the Sydney Cup with 53kg so it’s a great opportunity for her.”

Laurens foals Invincible Spirit colt

Six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), has given birth to her first foal, a colt by Invincible Spirit (Ire).

The former Karl Burke-trained galloper was a Group 1 winner over a mile as a juvenile prior to reigning supreme in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary, G1 Prix de Diane, G1 Matron S., G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. and G1 Prix Rothschild.

“So….he finally arrived, Invincible Spirit x Laurens. What a stunner,” Owner John Dance announced via Twitter on Tuesday morning.

Laurens has been booked to visit Kingman (GB) in 2021.

Frankel filly a rising star for Juddmonte

Tuesday's Prix Parade d'Amour for unraced 3-year-old fillies at Saint-Cloud racecourse in France saw exciting Frankel (GB) filly Wensleydale (GB) salute in fine fashion.

The 700,000 gns (AU$1,396,500) 2018 Tattersalls December Foal Sale purchase was dominant in her debut performance tanking her way to the front with two furlongs remaining prior to coasting to a 2l success, ahead of Takemebythehand (GB) (The Gurkha {Ire}). Shuttle stallion Dubawi (Ire) sired the third-placed ldistyle (Ire) while exciting first-season sire and fellow shuttle stallion Shalaa (Ire) was responsible for the sixth-placed Paris (Fr).

“Wensleydale is a filly I really like and she came in to training very late, so she definitely must have room for improvement,” Devin told TDN Europe.

“She's a nice scopey filly with a lovely attitude and I'm sure she has a future.”

Frankel has continued to rise in status, siring his first Australian suffix Group 1 winner when the Chris Waller-trained Hungry Heart took out last Saturday’s G1 Vinery Stud S. at Rosehill.