Godolphin to sort out Victoria Derby prospects 'on the pitch'

Ben Dorries - Thursday October 19

James Cummings says he is keen to let Godolphin's Victoria Derby candidates sort themselves out "on the pitch".

James Cummings thinks three-year-old Godolphin colt Ataraxia is a big improver but says he will need to be Photo: Darryl Sherer

And that's part of the plan to see if Ataraxia has improved sufficiently to contend in Saturday's Group III Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield (2000m) and be a serious Derby prospect.

A lot has changed for Cummings since he won last year's Victoria Derby with Prized Icon, being appointed as Godolphin's Australian head trainer in May.

But Cummings has a chance of back-to-back Derby wins with several hopefuls, including last start Dulcify Classic winner Ataraxia.

In latest Derby betting markets, Ataraxia is rated at $21 and is only marginally behind Godolphin stablemate Sanctioned ($17) which ran eighth in last week's Caulfield Guineas.

Another Godolphin colt, Animalia, is currently priced at $26 in Derby markets.

Cummings feels Ataraxia, at $8.50 in Saturday's 2000m Ladbrokes Classic, is a big improver.

But he said the son of Teofilo would need to have improved to beat Tangled ($3.60 fav), which closed in sharply when Tangled fourth in the Dulcify.

Ataraxia now faces the task of confronting Tangled, who then ran a narrow second in the Group I Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), worse at the weights in the set weights conditions of the Ladbrokes Classic.

"I've got a few live chances that are building towards being potential Derby runners … but I will let them sort themselves out on the pitch," Cummings said.

"At set weights Ataraxia is maybe not up to their level yet but he is an improver.

"He rewarded us in the Dulcify and he was really good in that race, albeit getting plenty of weight from Tangled.

"He meets Tangled at set weights and he will have need to have gone to another level to be getting the better of that horse.

"Whether he is ready to do that at this run, or his next, remains to be seen.

"But he certainly looks the part and Saturday's race will be a good test for him as it is a good field with plenty of depth."

Ataraxia will be ridden by Hugh Bowman on Saturday and will jump from the second widest barrier in the eight-horse Ladbrokes Classic field.

As for ageing star Hartnell, Cummings says he remains undecided what to do with the multiple Group I winner.

Hartnell struck trouble in the Group I Ladbrokes Stakes, when he was beaten six lengths by Gailo Chop, but did not appear as though he would have been a threat in the race anyhow.

"We are just giving him an easy week and deciding what to do with him from there," Cummings said.

"We don't have to persevere with him if we don't feel he is up to it."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
Two heats at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning over 900m and the quickest of those was won by an expensive son of Golden Slipper winning first season sire Farnan.