Edward Cummings out to enhance family legacy in Australasian Oaks

Edward Cummings, after Duais won the 2022 Australian Cup, has the favourite in Saturday’s Australasian Oaks. Picture: Reg Ryan-Racing Photos via Getty Images

He's got strong family ties to South Australia and Edward Cummings gets the chance to leave a mark of his own when he saddles up the favourite Arts in Saturday's Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

Grandson of the immortal Bart, who was famously born and raised in Adelaide before heading east and becoming the biggest name in Australian racing, Cummings is looking to further enhance the family legacy in the $500,000 feature.

His grandfather won the Australasian Oaks a record-equalling four times and, if Arts performs up to market expectations, another generation of the famous Cummings clan will be etched onto the trophy.

Cummings hasn't spent much time in SA before – Arts and Evening Bride, who competes in the fourth race, will be his first runners in the state since branching out on his own – but he knows the connection runs deep.

"A couple of years ago I went there over New Year's, I got down to Sandilands and Black Point and visited the old site of the Glenelg stables that Bart started out in, my great-grandfather (Jim's) stable to begin with, so I've done the tour," Cummings said.

"We've taken horses there before with dad (Anthony) – horses likes Sister Madly and Believe in the Oaks a few years ago.

"So I've been there before but haven't managed to get a win, hopefully Saturday is a bit more fruitful for us."

Arts brings the strongest formline to the Oaks, having won the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick earlier this month and then backing up with a fifth in the Group 1 ATC Oaks.

Arts winning the Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

So it is no surprise she has been the subject of plenty of support – including one bet of $25,000 at $5.50 with the TAB – and is now an outright favourite at $4.60.

Cummings, who is chasing his fourth Group 1 victory after winning three with the classy Duais, confirmed this race has "always been on the radar" and is delighted with how Arts has come through her run in the ATC Oaks.

"She's ticked all the boxes for us to want to send her down," he said.

"She's very fit and very well, the 2000m is a great distance for her.

"She's one of only two horses in the race who has won at the trip and she's done it in Group 3 company and in dominant fashion.

"Every indication she has given to us has been very positive."

Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton is making the trip to Adelaide for the ride, but he'll need a touch of luck after drawing barrier 13.

Arts is likely to be neutral out of the gates so pace has been a key discussion point in the lead-up but Cummings thinks she can adapt to any scenario.

"I think the race is an interesting one because a lot of the main chances have drawn out," he said.

"If you go back through the last 10 years of the race, a large majority of them have been run along at an even tempo at the very least.

"But she dominated an Adrian Knox field on a very slow pace and I would think if they go slow it's only going to suit her."

WA Oaks champion She's Fit and Listed Port Adelaide Guineas winner Affaire A Suivre are on the second line of betting at $7, just ahead of Group 3 Auraria Stakes victory Jennilala ($8.50), who is the only other runner at a single-figure quote.