The Champ Cascadian Goes Back To Back in Australian Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday March 30

With the sun reflecting off his rich chestnut colt, Godolphin’s magnificent warrior Cascadian (GB) motored home from last to run down the gallant front-runner Pride Of Jenni to go back-to-back in the $3,000,000 Group 1 Tab Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.

What a sight! Cascadian nails Pride Of Jenni (image George Sal/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Ben Melham for James Cummings, the 9-year-old son of New Approach (IRE), had been building for a peak performance in this preparation, and he delivered.

The 6-year-old Pride Of Dubai mare Pride Of Jenni fell a long head short of adding a third Group 1 while the dual Group 1 winning Savabeel mare Atishu won the battle for third.

With his fourth Group 1, Cascadian advances his record to twelve wins, six seconds, and nine thirds from 53 starts with earnings of $10,641,275.

Stable representative Nacim Delmi said the striking chestnut holds a special place in the hearts of everyone at Godolphin.

Advertisement

“We knew tactics would obviously be tricky with Pride Of Jenni over the 2000-metres and Declan rode a great race,” Delmi said.

Feeling the love (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

“The tempo suited him perfectly. When they came up to the top of the straight and he was travelling, we knew he was going to give it a good shake.

“Once he peeled out and Ben Melham timed it perfectly, it was great.

 “He is easy to do anything with. He has been really fresh the last few days and we had to keep him as calm as possible,

“He came here today in great order and when we saddled him up and did the girth, he grabbed hold of the strapper’s arm and wouldn’t let go. We knew he was on song today.

“Back-to-back, it is unreal.

“He turned nine on Tuesday. He carries on like a young horse and still has so much racing in him. He’s just such a good horse to have in the stables. You’d love to have ten of him in the stables.”

Everyone loves Cascadian, none more so than his strapper, Camille Piantoni (image Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Ben Melham said Cascadian relishes a battle.

“That’s the way he loves it. James and the Godolphin team have done a tremendous job with this horse,” he said.

“He ran really well the other day, like he did last year in the All-Star Mile and came out and won.

“I tell you what, if you could ever declare a horse on the way to the barrier, this is him.

“Couldn’t have been in better order which gave me the confidence to ride him like I wanted to.

“He loves pinching runs and sneaking around the place. He’s just too good for them.

“To see horses his age still beating the best horses in the land at this trip is phenomenal to see.

“Massive feat for him to win two in a row. Ride of the year, I reckon.”

Cascadian (GB) is a brother to the dual Listed winner Isle Of Jura and a half-brother to Albahr (Dubawi), winner of the Grade 1 Summer Stakes at Woodbine.

The son of Epsom Derby hero New Approach is one of six winners from as many to race for the talented Street Cry (IRE) mare Falls Of Lora, whose four wins included the Group III UAE Oaks and the Listed Distaff Stakes at Sandown.

Falls Of Lora was one of four stakes-winners for Danehill's stakes-winning daughter Firth Of Lorne, runner-up in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Tab Australian Cup Gr1 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(3) Time: 2:00.05
1
Cascadian
- 9g New Approach (IRE) x Falls Of Lora (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Melham 59
2
0.3
Pride Of Jenni
- 6m Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Sancerre (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: Declan Bates 57
Pride Of Dubai
3
2
Atishu
- 6m Savabeel (AUS) x Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Shinn 57
Inglis June (Late) Online Sale $3,000
Seller: Price Racing (as agent)
Buyer: Greg Preston
Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale $105,000
Seller: Ohukia Lodge, Cambridge, NZ
Buyer: RJ & PM Price
4
2
Vow And Declare
- 8g Declaration Of War (USA) x Geblitzt (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: W Egan 59
5
4.8
Mr Brightside
- 6g Bullbars (AUS) x Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 59
6
6
Legarto
- 4m Proisir (AUS) x Geordie Girl (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: M J Dee 57
7
10.8
Young Werther
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Damian Lane 59
8
13.3
Esti Feny
- 9g Pigeon Catcher (IRE) x Ejtihaad (IRE) (Nayef (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J Mott 59
9
16
Dom To Shoot
- 6g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Princess Rouge (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: S & J Casey Rdr: M Zahra 59
More Reading...
Cascadian Digs Deep in Peter Young Stakes
Although he is unlikely to make Godolphin's top ten, Cascadian (GB) has been a magnificent servant for the global superpower, contributing $3,886,075 to the coffers.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Godolphin Stalwart Cascadian in a Class of his Own in Hill Stakes
Godolphin's magnificent servant Cascadian (GB) took his prizemoney past the $5,000,000 barrier, turning the $1,000,000 Group II Fujitsu General  Hill Stakes (2000m) into a three-and-a-quarter length romp.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
One to Watch – Wolverhampton
Baldy faced chestnut Cascadian (GB) is a very popular member of the Godolphin stable in Australia winning last year’s Group I VRC Australian Cup and his three year-old half-sister was an interesting winner at Wolverhampton in the UK overnight.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
You Have to Love Cascadian
Everyone with a love for horses and horse racing loves Cascadian (GB).
Second Group 1 for Godolphin Warhorse Cascadian
Making his 21st Group 1 start, Godolphin’s warhorse Cascadian (GB) defied the pattern of the day when charging home to deny Tofane a winning farewell in the $600,000 Group 1 Schweppes All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.