‘I love her at 2500m': James Cummings bullish on Zardozi in VRC Oaks
Edward Manifold Stakes winner Zardozi will attempt to bounce back to winning ways in Thursday’s VRC Oaks. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images.
Godolphin filly Zardozi will have plenty in her favour in Thursday's $1m VRC Oaks at Flemington.
History is one of those things.
Zardozi prepared for the Group 1 staying test with a fast-finishing second to Amazonian Lass in last Saturday's Group 2 Wakeful Stakes.
The Wakeful Stakes has been the source of most Oaks winners in the last few decades with 38 of the last 86 winners of the Derby Day contest completing the Oaks double.
Recent history produced a better strike rate with 18 of the last 30 Oaks winners competing in the Wakeful Stakes.
With such statistics, it's little wonder Zardozi has firmed from $4.20 to $2.90 in TAB's latest Oaks betting while Amazonian Lass's price has shortened from $11 to $9.
That's a promising win by AMAZONIAN LASS in the Group 2 TAB Wakeful Stakes.
We will find out on Thursday if she can become the 39th filly to do the Wakeful-Oaks double, with Willowy the most recent in 2021 #DerbyDay
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 4, 2023
Tropical Squall, the only Group 1 winner in this year's Oaks field has drifted from $3.60 to $4.40 despite running second in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield last month.
Zardozi tackled the Wakeful Stakes at her first run for four weeks after winning the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on October 7.
Trainer James Cummings said the month between runs was part of the stable's plan to help Zardozi overcome the short break leading into the Oaks.
"She won the Edward Manifold Stakes off a six-day back-up and it will be good to see her pedigree put to the test in the Oaks this year," he said.
"I deliberately backed off her knowing that, if we were delighted with her after the Wakeful, then she would be tasked with the assignment of backing up in the Oaks.
"I tailored her preparation to suit and I feel like we've got her in as good a shape as we can."
Cummings is one of four generations to win the VRC Oaks.
Zardozi is far too strong for them in the 92nd edition of the Edward Manifold ????@godolphin@SchofieldChadpic.twitter.com/vOAOcuhksW
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 7, 2023
The Cummings family's association with VRC Oaks winners started in 1928 when Jim Cummings, the Godolphin head trainer's great-grandfather, won the race in 1928 with Opera Queen.
James's legendary grandfather Bart Cummings shares the record with nine VRC Oaks wins while his father Anthony won the race last year with She's Extreme.
Cummings himself teamed up with retiring riding great Damien Oliver to win the race in 2021 with Willowy.
Cummings said he was looking forward to seeing Zardozi, a daughter of top international stallion Kingman, performed over the 2500m of the Oaks.
"It's going to be a very good rendition of the Oaks this year," Cummings said.
"There's at least four stakes winners in the race at least and Zardozi is going to be one of the big chances.
"I love her at 2500m and I think the quick turnaround in her favour."
Star jockey James McDonald will ride Zardozi on Thursday.
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A racing documentary on The All-Star Mile will launch on Thursday night.
Miles In Front premieres on Fox Docos (Channels 115 (HD) and 286) at 7.30pm (AEST), before streaming on-demand on Binge, Kayo and Foxtel on Demand.
It follows the rollercoaster ride of leading horses, trainers, and jockeys leading up to the 2023 All-Star Mile.
A joint venture between Racing Victoria and Entain Australia & New Zealand, Miles In Front headlines a push to provide fans with greater insight to the world of racing.
Some of racing's biggest names are in the documentary, including Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Jamie Kah and Annabel Neasham.
