Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Cascadian fired the final winning shot in The Star Doncaster Mile for the Blue Army who had earlier celebrated a major 2-year-old double earlier in the program with Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in the G1 Inglis Sires’ and Paulele (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the G3 Widden Kindergarten S.
Also integral to the Doncaster outcome was successful rider Jamie Kah, who is enjoying an outstanding season and leads the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership with 80 wins.
Cascadian began his career in France with leading trainer Andre Fabre and won three of his six starts and finished runner-up in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville before the Godolphin operation sent him to Australia.
He has been something of a slow burner in Australia, winning a Randwick handicap in the spring of 2019 before adding the G3 Doncaster Prelude to his record last season.
This preparation he was third when resuming in the G3 Newmarket H. at Newcastle and was then fourth in the G1 George Ryder S. at Rosehill.
“The team have done a magnificent job to keep this horse nice and lean. He came from Andre Fabre and we’ve got to be so grateful and when horses of his calibre come off the plane, we know we’re cooking with gas,” Cummings said.
“He (Cascadian) came from Andre Fabre and we’ve got to be so grateful and when horses of his calibre come off the plane, we know we’re cooking with gas.” – James Cummings
Cascadian was giving the leaders a good start in the running before Kah improved her position and the 6-year-old was a willing accomplice in the straight to produce a well-timed finish.
“While he hasn’t won a heap of races since he’s been here, we’ve worked out a few things with him. Twelve months ago he won the Doncaster Prelude and now he’s won the Doncaster, it’s remarkable to see him get up and win his grand final,” Cummings said.
For Kah, it was the fifth Group 1 victory of her burgeoning career and drew her level on the score of elite level wins as Australia’s most successful female rider with Michelle Payne.
“I am a bit speechless to be honest. I was talking to Hughie (Bowman, Mugatoo) in the gates and said I’m going to follow you. I hope you win, but if you don’t I am going to win.”
Hugh Bowman aboard Mugatoo (Ire) (check cap) and Jamie Kah aboard Cascadian (GB) (white cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Doubts on post
Kah said the race unfolded perfectly for Cascadian, although in a tight finish she wasn’t certain they had got the deciding stride in.
“We got a beautiful run, everything just opened up at the right time for him. He probably waited a little bit on the line, that is why I wasn’t sure if I had got it or not, but he stuck his nose out though and I couldn’t be happier.”
Cascadian got home best to score by 0.8l from the Brad Widdup-trained Ice Bath (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), who raced back in the field and finished generously near the fence for rider Jay Ford.
“His run was super. Had a good run in transit and when she took the split I thought she was home, but the winner was too good,” Ford said.
Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) belied his long odds to take third money ahead of the favourite Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}), who jockey Hugh Bowman said had every chance, and the winner’s stablemate Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was next across the line.
Cascadian (GB) (white cap) and Icebath (NZ) (blue cap) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
