Godolphin trainer James Cummings set for Group 1 domination at Rosehill

Godolphin trainer James Cummings saddles up three Group 1 race favourites including champion Anamoe in the $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Anamoe, chasing his ninth career Group 1 win, is into $1.60 favouritism after some huge bets on the superstar including $52,200 at $1.70 and $53,300 at $1.65.

Cummings said he decided to run Anamoe in the George Ryder rather than the Ranvet Stakes at 2000m to keep the champion fresh for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in three weeks.

“We formed the view that we prefer to prepare Anamoe more as a miler than a mile-and-a-quarter horse,” Cummings said.

“It suited Anamoe to go more through the George Ryder to keep him that little bit sharper and only have him stepping up to 2000m in the Queen Elizabeth (Stakes).

“We were pleased with how he went through his paces through the week. He was absolutely on song and in frighteningly good form.”

Cummings has three starters in the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) – favourite Cylinder, Barber and Exploring.

“Cylinder is firing, he’s ready to go,” Cummings enthused.

“There should be good pressure in the race, he’s got the good gate. It will be up to James McDonald to make all the right choices at the right time, it’s part of the challenge and excitement of the race.”

Cummings said punters should be prepared to forgive a promising colt like Barber one bad run after his unplaced Blue Diamond effort while the trainer maintains Exploring has “legitimately” earned a Slipper start.

Pericles is the other big-race favourite for the Cummings stable in the Group 1 $600,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m).

THE BEST BARRIERS

The best barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last 3 years (in order of wins)

1100m: 1,3,6,2

1200m: 2,7,1,5

1500m: 5,1,3,6

1900m: 4,1,3,7

2000m: 2,4,6,1

2400m: 1,6,3,4,

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: The Himalayas $15-$16-$10-$11-$12, Strait Acer $4.60-$3.90-$4-$3.70-$3.90-$4, Pacific Warrior $15-$16-$17-$12-$13

Race 2: Glory Daze $2.80-$3.10-$3-$2.90-$2.80-$2.70 after bets of $1,200 at $3.10, $1,000 at $3 multiple times, Almania $11-$7-$4.80-$4-$3.70-$3.90-$4.20-$4.40

Race 3:

Race 4: Pericles $2.90-$3-$2.70-$2.80-$2.60 after bets of $1,500 at $2.60, $1,250 at $2.60 multiple times, $1,000 at $2.60, Ausbred Rising Sun $26-$19-$21-$19

Race 5: Economics $4.40-$4.60-$4-$4.20-$4.60, Cinderella Days $11-$12-$9.50-$10-$9.50-$10

Race 6: Gold Trip $4.60-$3.90-$4 with bets of $900 at $4.60, $500 at $3.90 multiple times, $300 at $4, Dubai Honour $6-$5.50-$4.80-$4.40 with bets of $700 at $6, $1,000 at $5.50, $20,000 at $4.80

Race 7: Anamoe $1.90-$1.85-$1.75-$1.70-$1.65-$1.60 after some huge bets of $9,000 at $1.70, $52,200 at $1.70, $53,300 at $1.65, $3,080 at $1.65 multiple times

Race 8: Little Brose $21-$15-$14-$12-$11-$12 with bets of $530 at $14, $500 at $12, $500 at $11, Barber $26-$21-$19, Cylinder $4-$3.50-$3.60-$3.70-$3.80-$3.90 with bets of $500 at $3.50, $423 at $3.50, Platinum Jubilee $21-$17-$21-$18-$17-$18

Race 9: Uncommon James $6-$5-$4.60-3.90 with bets of $1,500 e/w at $5/$2, $4,950 at $5, $1,000 at $4, $1,000 at $3.90, Shades Of Rose $11-$9.50

Race 10: Palaisipan $8-$7-$6.50-$6-$4.20, Zapateo $6-$5.50-$5-$4-$3.80 with bets of $521 at $4.80, $667 at $4 twice, $700 at $3.90 multiple times, Nicci’s Fling $51-$61-$34-$23-$26-$21-$23-$26, Hypothetical $11-$10-$9-$8.50-$7.50-$8.50

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 2,5,7,10

Race 4: 3,4,5,8

Race 5: 4,5,8,9

Race 6: 1,2,7,8

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,6,11

Race 8: 5,6,8,10

Race 9: 1,7,9,13

Race 10: 1,3,6

PRICE CHECK

Platinum Jubilee (race 8) is one of two runners for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Golden Slipper. The talented filly has been “under the radar” all week but punters are finding the filly as she continues to firm from $21 to $17. She made Cylinder work hard to beat her in the Silver Slipper and her recent barrier trial win was outstanding.

TRIAL POINTERS

Hell I Am (race 5) was a $150,000 Magic Millions Yearling sale purchase by Champion Thoroughbreds whose familiar red and white colours were worn to victory in the 2010 Rosehill Guineas by Zabrasive who, like this gelding, was trained by John O’Shea. Hell I Am has won four of his 10 starts and placed at three others including in the Gosford Guineas and Magic Millions 3YO Guineas after that. Looked the part when racing past his rivals to win narrowly but impressively in his March 7 heat at Randwick.

Shades Of Rose (race 9) won on debut at Bathurst on Australia Day eve in 2022 and was in the Everest come mid-October which says a great deal about her rapid rise and extraordinary talent. The Bjorn Baker-trained daughter of Yes Yes Yes’ sire, Rubick, has trialled twice ahead of her return to racing in Saturday’s Group 1 The Galaxy, winning the pair of them in impressive order. Shades Of Rose has raced six times at Rosehill winning four of them including the Sheraco Stakes.

SECTIONAL STARS

Williamsburg (race four) is already a valuable colt but will be worth a good fortune should he be able to snare a Group 1, namely Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas (2000m). The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt is a son of Snitzel out of Fenway who won the 2015 Group 1 Vinery Stakes beating First Seal and Winx among others. Williamsburg has been looking for 2000m all along and arrives here off a closing fifth in the Randwick Guineas.

Montefilia (race six) will go past the $3 million mark in earnings should she be able to defend her 2022 Ranvet Stakes crown in 2023. The David Payne trained daughter of Kermadec finished seventh in the Chipping Norton three weeks prior to her Ranvet win last year defeating Verry Elleegant and co. Her Chipping Norton lead-in in 2023 was outstanding in every way bearing in mind she was 11th of 12 at the turn yet finished fifth, just two lengths behind Anamoe.

BEST BET

Pericles (race 4) returns to Sydney after a dynamic win in the Autumn Classic at Sandown. He was second-up that day and left his rivals standing with a brilliant burst of acceleration. Lightly-raced Godolphin three-year-old who continues to improve with every start. Steps out to 2000 which is ideal and is the one to beat.

VALUE

Remarque (race 9) has always promised to win a big race and this is his chance. He’s shaped well in two runs back, scoring impressively at Randwick first-up in fast time carrying 62kg then he was competitive at weight-for-age running fourth in the Challenge Stakes. He drops 7kg to 51.5kg for The Galaxy, the firm track suits and he will stalk the speed. Great value around $7.

THE JUDGMENT

ROSEHILL GARDENS

R7: George Ryder Stakes (1500m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “The champion Anamoe is the one to beat. There really is no reason why this race shouldn’t work out like so many others before, and I think the wide barrier is an advantage if anything, the big boy can get into his stride and keep out of trouble. He might be spotting them a few lengths turning for home, but I’m looking forward to being trackside to see him unleash that dazzling sprint of his. Artorius was excellent in the Canterbury Stakes and only has to repeat to run the exacta. Randwick Guineas winner Communist appears huge odds here, he’s just coming of age and gets a beautiful run from his draw. Fangirl is a beauty, you just know she’s going to be super competitive and in the money somewhere.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “James McDonald has a decision to make early from the outside alley but it should be easy, go forward, as he did when blowing them away in the Rosehill Guineas last year. Plenty of these like to get midfield at best so take the worries out early and run the race to suit yourself. Outsprinted them first up in the Apollo and then totally dominant in the Chipping Norton.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Anamoe went up $1.80 after drawing barrier 11 but it hasn’t stopped punters piling into him and he is currently $1.60. There has been a specking at odds for the NZ mare Levante who is now $18 after opening at $31. There is not a whole lot of action outside of these two. Artorius was a strong winner last start but has to do it over 1500m here and without Zac Purton.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Anamoe steamed $1.90-$1.60 and is the only one they want. Always hard to poke holes in him but drawn poorly and perhaps might not see it all his own way, on a track that can traditionally be hard to make ground. Opposing from a price point of view.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “You can’t go past the big A can you? Anamoe’s been smashed in betting with us since opening at $1.90 during the week, and he currently accounts for 90 per cent of the hold.”

Verdict: Anamoe

R8: Golden Slipper (1200m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “I know he’s drawn wide but Red Resistance has his destiny in his hands and is good enough to win this race. I can see him cruising across to somewhere near the speed, and if he can get a brief rest in the middle stages, as they turn for home, he will kick clear and get the job done. But it’s never as easy as that. Cylinder has continued to improve, and he’s drawn to get a lovely run, you just know James Cummings will have him spot on for this afternoon. I’ve always liked Lazzago and she’s juicy odds. King’s Gambit might just fulfil the promise he’s always shown and always beware the unbeaten horse, in this case Learning To Fly.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Who wants to go with Red Resistance in the first 200m? This is what the race revolves around. Can’t see them letting him control so the likes of Steel City, Facile and Exploring dig up while Platinum Jubilee with blinkers on may also be there. I’ve been on the back of Blanc De Blanc all the way through and can’t leave her at these odds. Draw is actually good for her to miss any traffic problems on first turn. Last Saturday’s run, like all of hers, was strong.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Cylinder has been excellent since coming back from a spell. He won the Silver Slipper first up and the Todman Stakes last start where he sat outside Red Resistance and went straight past him. You could not have asked for a better lead up, he has drawn well, James McDonald rides and he is the deserved favourite.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “This looks a very even Slipper despite not a vintage edition. Happy to lay Cylinder as cannot get him that short. I think Learning to Fly can bounce back despite looking slightly flat in the Reisling. The camp has shown in recent times they can keep them going and gets a perfect map behind a good speed. I think you also have to have Steel City on side at the $17. Little Brose ($15-$11) and Don Corleone ($11-$9.50) have been the best supported runners with us in early betting.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “A very even betting race. The top six or seven runners are all holding similar amounts at this stage. Learning To Fly is the best backed runner but punters are keeping a close eye on Don Corleone at double figures.”

Verdict: Cylinder

R9: The Galaxy (1100m)

Richard Haynes (TAB): “Uncommon James has developed into a very good sprinter and he might just be able to make it back-to-back Group 1 victories. He’s very fit, drawn perfectly, and just doesn’t do much wrong. He’s the favourite and I’m happy to stick with him. Shades Of Rose came along way last preparation and going on her recent trial, Bjorn Baker has her here ready to win. She’s very quick, has no weight on her back, and must be a huge player. Why can’t Cannonball give this a shake? Only seven days ago he was dynamic in scoring, he has drawn barrier 1, has 50kg on a firm track, and will be sent straight to the front. Asfoora wasn’t far off Uncommon James in the Oakleigh Plate.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Speed mainly draws wide with Eduardo, Shades Of Rose and Zoustyle with Cannonball holding inside. Remarque is good odds to me dropping 6.5kg on his last run but more importantly getting back on top of the ground. Happy to see him finding the back of the speed.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Uncommon James was excellent last start Oakleigh Plate. He crossed from the wide barrier to sit just off the pace. It looked like they might run past him in the straight but he kept finding and was a deserved winner. Damian Lane takes the ride, he only carries 54.5kg, has drawn well in barrier 4 and I expect him to improve off last start.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Strong push for Oakleigh Plate winner Uncommon James $5-$3.70 with a slight deduction. Gets his chance and sure to be in the finish. Shades Of Rose the interesting runner for mine who has trialled up superbly and made giant leaps last preparation. Any luck from the draw and I think she’s in it a long way.”

Hamish Ferguson (TAB): “Uncommon James is the one that TAB punters have come for. After opening at $6 during the week, he’s been backed into $3.90 favourite and holds over 60 per cent of all investments.”