James Cummings climbed a sizeable mountain on the day recognised as Australia’s purest thoroughbred test on Saturday, but his achievement of a trio of winners, including one at group 1 level, had well and truly sunk-in as a hastening darkness finally put the Victoria Derby meeting to bed.
Cummings, who is just in his second year as Godolphin’s head trainer in Australia, had stuck around on Derby evening to see his Melbourne Cup hope Avilius draw favourably in barrier 11.
It was not just the cream on the top of a near faultless preparation. It was another solid step forward, bringing him that bit closer to what surely is his destiny.
For the 30-year-old is intrinsically drawn to the Melbourne Cup like no other.
On one hand, his late grandfather Bart won 12 of them yet on the other hand, his current employer Sheikh Mohammed has won none after 20 years of concerted effort.
The desire to win this race burns therefore on two fronts. It’s a mix that makes him excited but wary of expectation.
‘’Of course I am (excited), but I’m also feet on the ground,’’ he said. ‘’We’re just focussed on the horse and making sure he’s just right on the day.
‘’They don’t give them away you know,’’ Cummings said about those Gold Cups that have been part of his life since he was born.
‘’We’ve had a red letter day for the stable here and I am really proud and impressed with the horses how they performed on the day but by Tuesday, these results mean nothing and we start again.’’
Cummings reiterated this on Sunday morning when asked if the pressures that come with a Melbourne Cup tilt are having an effect.
‘’It’s easy to let them (emotions) but I try not to,’ Cummings said. ‘’We tried to keep it – not so much business – but to empty our minds of those distractions.’’
As for Avilius, Cummings said he thought he’d enjoyed the right preparation to have him peaking on Tuesday and was pleased to tick off another box when he drew barrier 11.
‘’I just didn’t want him drawing too far outside in 16 or 17, but he’s got his barrier 11 and that’s nice for him,’’ Cummings said.
‘’He’s calm and looking good this morning and we’re rely pleased with the horse’s campaign.
‘’The whole preparation has been flawless and that fourth in a Cox Plate – that Cox Plate form coming into a Melbourne Cup always adds a bit of interest in the race.
‘’He’s strong and healthy. He’s strong in the legs and he’s coping with the work.’’
Cummings has a few big decisions to be made on the future of the three horses to score for him on Saturday with TAB Stakes winner Osborne Bulls being earmarked for possible international duties.
Cummings said the horse was in line to run in the group 1 Alquoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night in front of his owner Sheikh Mohammed.
‘’We’ve got him in the Winterbottom (Perth, December 1) but the horse is just flying so we’ll see. There’s the autumn for him. There are races like the Newmarket (Handicap) now he’s won up the straight.
‘’Another race which is a pretty interesting option is the Alquoz in Dubai. He’d be a horse that would be a really exciting watching him represent Australia on the night.’’
As for his group 1 Kennedy Mile winner Best Of Days was also entered for Perth (Railway Stakes, November 24) but said he was also a chance to be spelled.
‘’I thought all week that if we could get a run – he was first emergency – then Hartnell would have him to worry about most of all,’’ Cummings said.
‘’We’ll get a sense of how he’s pulled up. He looked really good on Sunday morning but winners always look good on Sunday morning.
Cummings said a decision had still to be made on Hartnell’s campaign after his 10th place in the Kennedy Mile but he said this spring’s Epsom winner was likely to be sent for a spell as will his Carbine Club Stakes winner Ranier.
– racing.com
