Trainer Anthony Cummings says if star colt Broadsiding were in Saturday’s Group 3 $500,000 TAB Gloaming Stakes (1800m) he’d be a $1.20 chance so that tells him El Castello is right in the game as he steps back into stakes company at Rosehill.
Trainer Anthony Cummings (Pic: Bradley Photos)
El Castello took on the Godolphin youngster twice in their two-year-old season and he finished two lengths behind in second place in the Fernhill before not handling the heavy 10 in the Champagne.
Cummings said his colt is a much better horse now than six months ago, pointing particularly to his Midway win three weeks back, and is confident he can underline that view.
“I think he’s shown that, he’s much more professional and has a better idea of how to finish it off,’’ he said.
“He got to the furlong and he really accelerated and showed a turn of foot.
“In his previous couple he was a bit green and goofy, and lengthened without quickening.
“Whereas the other day he actually quickened and I thought that was a significant improvement and with a similar performance it’ll make him tough to handle.”
He’s on the fourth line of betting at $7 with TAB on Thursday in the Gloaming and shares the third line at $8 in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).
That’s the race Cummings has in mind and he’s quietly confident he’ll prove on target.
“I suppose Saturday’s race will determine how good an idea that was at the time and hopefully it’s a good idea,’’ he said.
Cummings sent El Castello to Rosehill last Wednesday for an exhibition gallop and said from barrier five there’s no excuses.
“If I had the chance to write the script I wouldn’t change it,’’ he said.
“It was three weeks between runs and while the step up (in distance) isn’t huge you’ve got to treat it with respect. So he had the trip away and to have a look at Rosehill, I think it’s good.”
Strait Acer is now in Cummings’ name as an application for a training partnership with his son Edward, the gelding’s former trainer, is pending and he’ll resume in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m).
The five-year-old, who last spring came of age placing in the Silver Eagle and running fourth in the Golden Eagle plus a Group 1 placing, has a tricky gate to overcome but Cummings said he’s hopeful for some luck in running.
“He had a course proper gallop last Saturday, it was a strong piece of work and he’s come through that well,’’ he said.
“It’s a bit of a tough gate but with a few emergencies he’ll come in a few and that will be to his benefit.
“He’ll be in the second half of the field, three wide with cover would be fine, and hopefully he gets the right options presented on straightening.”
– Racing NSW
