Date posted March 19, 2010 | Posted by Michele Cullen | Filed under
Racing and BreedingMelbourne, Vic (March 19th, 2010) - Master trainer Bart Cummings will be looking to turn back the clock when he chases the Group One double in the $400,000, Ranvet Stakes and $600,000 Coolmore Classic on Myer Ladies’ Day at Rosehill on Saturday, the first day if the Sydney Autumn Carnival 2010.Cummings last made a clean sweep of both races in 1989 when the outstanding Beau Zam (Zamazaan - Belle Cherie by Sovereign Edition) won the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Red Express (Sovereign Red - Let Her Rip by Shifnal) - who was also the dam of his 1997 Cox Plate winner Dane Ripper (by Danehill) - took out the Coolmore Classic (1500m).
Saturday looks to be his best chance yet to repeat that feat with AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor (Montjeu - Gussy Godiva by Last Tycoon) and last week’s Australian Cup placegetter Moatize (Danehill Dancer - Shezabeel by Zabeel) to represent him in the Ranvet and Allez Wonder (Redoute’s Choice - Luna Tudor by Military Plume) and Faint Perfume (Shamardal - Zona by Zabeel) in the Coolmore.
Cummings has been in sparkling form over the last 12 months and celebrated the 258th Group One win of his career when Rock Classic (Fastnet Rock - Midnight Ballet by Peintre Celebre) claimed last Saturday’s Australian Guineas at Flemington.
Bart Cummings
But among those trying to halt Cummings’ momentum at Rosehill will be his trainer son Anthony.
The pair enjoy a friendly rivalry and Anthony Cummings will start Road To Rock (Enocsta de Lago - Trewoman by Midyan) in the Ranvet and smart mares Prima Nova (Danehill Dancer - Bonanova by Star Way) and Messenger (Choisir - Angel in Disguise by Sky Chase) in the Coolmore.
While Allez Wonder and Faint Perfume both have to overcome wide draws with barriers 15 and 16 respectively, Prima Nova and Messenger have ideal alleys in two and six.
Cummings junior knows how hard it is to topple his famous father in big races and he is banking on the barrier draw giving him the advantage in the Coolmore Classic.
“It’s very important. It’s very much a race dictated to by barriers,” Cummings said.
“The fields are generally fairly even and a good barrier really counts for a lot.
“I’m pleased to come up with two good ones.”
The Group I VRC Oaks winner, Faint Perfume is favourite with TAB Sportsbet, as at Friday morning, at $6.50 with Allez Wonder at $41 while Prima Nova is the more highly-rated of Anthony Cummings’ pair at $13 ahead of Messenger at $31. Despite the difference in price, Anthony Cummings cannot split his duo.
Prima Nova put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching last start fourth to Ranvet hopeful Theseo in the Chipping Norton Stakes while Messenger was placed behind Dane Julia (Caesour - Precious Julia by Danehill) in the Wiggle Quality, both at Warwick Farm.
Faint Perfume
He also has plenty of respect for Crown Oaks winner Faint Perfume who scored a resounding first-up win in Melbourne, and proven Group One performer Allez Wonder, who has to concede weight to all her rivals.
“Allez Wonder won the Toorak and won the Keith Nolan last year, she’s a quality filly but she’s got the weight to mirror that performance so maybe that will give us some hope,” he said. The Ranvet Stakes and Coolmore Classic are just two of the highlights on a bumper program of racing at Rosehill.
Solar Charged (Charge Forward - Soul Singer by Danehill) , the early favourite for the $3.5 million Group One, AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) on Easter Saturday, will clash with unbeaten filly and Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Military Rose (General Nediym - Bella Maddelena by Flying Spur) in the $300,000, Group Two, Reisling Stakes (1200m).
Also on the two-year-old front, Group I Blue Diamond Stakes winner Star Witness (Starcraft - Leone Chiara by Lion Heart) will stake his claims for a Golden Slipper start in the $300,000, Group Two, Todman Stakes (1200m).
Sydney Turf Club’s General Manager Lindsay Murphy reports that after 1.5mm of rain last Saturday night, and watering on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night’s of 5mm each night that the Rosehill track is just into the Dead (4) range.
“I expect to keep the track in this range with a bit of give in it for the start of the Carnival,” said Murphy.
Murphy expects the track to be a Dead (4) verging on the top end of a Good (3) to commence racing on Saturday.
Some facts and figures
Coolmore Classic – 18 fillies have won the race, first run in 1973, with Typhoon Tracy the last in 2009. Notable winners include Shamekha (2004); Sunline (2000, 2002); Assertive Lass (1997); Skating (1993); Bounding Away (1987); Emancipation (1984).
Ranvet Stakes – Gai Waterhouse, trainer of Theseo, has won the race six times with Theseo last year; Tuesday Joy (2008); Desert War (2007); Grand Armee (2005), Electronic (1996); Stony Bay (1995).
Reisling Slipper Trial – Winners who won the Golden Slipper are Polar Success (2003); Belle Du Jour (2000); Merlene (1996); Burst (1992); Hartshill (1974).
Todman Stakes – Winners who won the Golden Slipper are Tierce (1991); Marauding (1987); Luskin Star (1977).
