Eurozone stretched his unbeaten run to three at Royal Randwick on Saturday with a strong front-running performance to win the Listed Rosebud (1200m).
Eurozone began fast and jockey Hugh Bowman took the 3YO straight to the lead and controlled the tempo of the race before kicking strongly in the straight to hold off the chasers.
The win was Bart and James Cummings’ second for the day and James’ first stakes victory.
“It hasn’t sunk in, I felt this good when I was foreman for Bart,” he said.
“I keep saying I have to give the boss a call but we are partners now. You pour your heart and soul into what I was doing for four years with Bart and it is no different now, I’m still pouring my heart and soul into it.
“This game is a labour of love, you have to enjoy these days.”
Cummings said the son of Northern Meteor would progress to the Run To The Rose before the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 14.
“He’s a good horse and he is entirely deserving of what we are running him in,” he said.
“Hughie was happy enough to take up the running if nothing wanted to be there and that is the way it panned out, I think he is really warming in to his preparation now
“He was strong late today, he has got plenty of petrol in the tank and I think there is improvement in him.
“We gave him a few days off after his last run, got the trial in to him, got the benefit of the trial on the course proper, it was the first time he had seen it, just so pleased that he has ticked that box now and he goes in to better races and hopefully he can rise again.
“They had to chase him and he was just too good.”
Bowman said Eurozone led due to the lack of pace and would be better when he is chasing.
“He is a lovely colt, an improving type, he has taken a pretty decent step today and I don’t see any reason why he can’t do it again,” he said.
“He jumped in front, I didn’t push to be there, I was just there, he travelled comfortably there, I feel the horse will be a better chaser.
“He is a more furnished horse in the yard, he has developed a lot in a short time, if he can continue to do that he could be a serious spring contender.”
Runner-up Dissident had put up a good effort along the fence with Dowdston Charlie 3rd.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Bull Point could only finish 4th.
By Owens Wong
