James Cummings is searching for a breakthrough win in Saturday’s Victoria Derby for Sheikh Mohammed, who has suffered an agonising spate of placings in the spring classic.
Cummings sends Aramayo to the $2 million race this Saturday and he said on Wednesday that the son of Poet’s Voice was poised to end the run of near misses for Godolphin’s owner, who has had six horses placed over the past eight years in the race.
“I am very excited to see Aramayo run well on Saturday,” Cummings said.
“We were third in the race last year (Astoria) and there are a number of placegetters for Godolphin and it would be great to see Godolphin colours win a Derby in Australia, especially after winning the Epsom Derby with Masar in the UK.
“I think he has been looking for a mile-and-a-half (2400m). There are a lot of Derby performers in his pedigree.
“He ran well in the Group 2 Vase at Moonee Valley over the weekend and even better in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and he hasn’t left it on the track.
“Fitness won’t be an issue with him and he’s really enjoy getting back to a big track like Flemington.
“He’s not a fully mature horse yet but he’s in great order.”
SHEIKH MOHAMMED’S VICTORIA DERBY PLACINGS
2017 – Astoria (third for trainer James Cummings);
2015 – Etymology (second for trainer John O’Shea);
2014 – Nozomi (third for trainer Anthony Freedman);
2013 – Complacent (second for trainer Peter Snowden);
2011 – Induna (second for Peter Snowden); and
2010 – Retrieve (third for Peter Snowden)
– racing.com
