17 hours ago
Trainer James Cummings has a slew of chances at Randwick
Cummings will also saddle up Contemporary, Pereille and Razors in the Randwick closer with all four of the stable's sprinters prominent in TAB Fixed Odds betting.
But Kerguelen is the $2.40 favourite even though the promising gelding is only third emergency and needs another scratching to gain a start.
'Kerguelen's going really well and it would be nice to get him into the race carrying 52kg,'' Cummings said. 'For a horse on the rise that is a great recipe.''
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A five-year-old son of former champion racehorse and sire Lonhro, Kerguelen has only been to the races six times for three wins and three seconds.
But Kerguelen resumed with a strong win over the talented Brave One at Rosehill and drops 5.5kg for the Randwick sprint, albeit he is up sharply grade.
'We have been so patient with this horse,'' Cummings said.
'Although we have always held him in high regard, he's needed time to mature and I would like to think our patience will be rewarded now.
'This might be one of the drier tracks he's raced on but he's going along so sweetly and is a chance to rocket through his grades.''
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Kerguelen is the pick of the Godolphin quartet and the $2.40 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds with his stablemates Razors at $9, Pereille $9.50 and Contemporary at $11.
Razors was twice stakes-placed as a three-year-old but hasn't raced for 12 months. Cummings has given the gelding two recent barrier trials to ready him for a Randwick return.
'I thought it was good work from Razors the other day in his trial and he's coming into this race looking pretty athletic for a horse coming off a long break,'' he said.
Pereille ran fourth behind Headley Grange in a strong form race at Randwick last start and Cummings feels the sprinter is at his peak after two runs from a spell.
'He is going well and has come on from that last run,'' Cummings said. 'This does look a suitable race for him.''
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Topweight Contemporary has to shoulder 59kg after apprentice Benjamin Osmond's 2kg claim but his second-up effort when third to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley Stakes is very good form for the Randwick closer.
'Contemporary is knocking on the door and is ready to win,'' Cummings said.
'He is up there where it hurts in the ratings but that is offset with the claim and he should be very strong late in the race.''
Cummings, who will take a break from training at the end of next month before moving to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, also has three-year-old fillies Amusing and Glorioso entered for the Quayclean Handicap (1300m) although the trainer hinted only the former was a certain starter.
'I like the look of Amusing, her trials have been good and I'm happy for her to go back to the races,'' he said.
'Glorioso won last start (Gosford) but I'm just considering the options with her, we might even wait for Wednesday (Kensington.''
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Cummings also has chances interstate with Kin contesting the Listed $160,000 Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich while boom two-year-old Observer lines up in the TAB We're On (1420m) at Flemington.
'Kin has a lovely barrier (two) at Ipswich she should be able to be ridden to her strengths,'' the trainer said.
'As for Observer, there is a lot to like about that horse. He was stylish winning last start (by five lengths at Sandown), he has come a long way and will only get better.''
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Hooligan Tommy 'right in the race'
Hooligan Tommy, part-owned by NRL legend Greg Alexander, can continue his form surge in the Midway Handicap (1600m).
The John Sargent-trained Hooligan Tommy has won two of his five starts this campaign including his dominant effort at Kembla Grange last start by more than three lengths under 60.5kg.
Tough four-year-old Hooligan Tommy drops to 58kg and is at $8.50 behind Callistemon at $3.40.
'Hooligan Tommy is on top of his game and is right in the race,'' Sargent said.
'He is better on a firmer track which he will get on Saturday, and a good, hard run mile will suit him. He's worked well during the week and looks great in the coat.''
Hooligan Tommy seems to have found his niche race distance around 1600m after being tried as a stayer last season when he ran unplaced behind Riff Rocket and Ceolwulf in the ATC Australian Derby.
Sargent also ran Glad You Think So in that Derby with the gelding finishing a very game third in the prestigious Group 1 classic.
Glad You Think So hasn't lived up to that promise since but Sargent is optimistic the stayer can find something like his best form this winter, starting with a comeback run in the Traffic Warden At Darley Handicap (1400m).
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'He had a so-so campaign last time but I think he's come back in very good order this time,'' Sargent said.
'I think he will sprint well fresh. Although he will get back a bit, as long as he is hitting the line I will know he is on the right track.''
Meanwhile, Sargent has sent emerging filly Bearings interstate for the Ken Cox Handicap (2000m) at Flemington.
Sargent was hoping to get Bearings to the Queensland Oaks but the filly failed to qualify despite consistent results this campaign including wins at Goulburn and Newcastle.
'Bearings has gone to Melbourne as this looks a nice race for her with good prizemoney,'' Sargent said.
'She does gets back in her races so hopefully they run along because she will be hitting the line.''
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Hopper ready to Medal at Randwick
The winning form of Mickey's Medal has given trainer Peter Snowden added confidence Hopper will be hard to beat in the QMS Media Handicap (1600m).
Hopper, a son of former super sire Snitzel, made a race of it with Mickey's Medal at Rosehill three weeks ago, finishing a close second.
Mickey's Medal then franked the form by winning again at Rosehill last Saturday.
'The form around Hopper is good, it's always nice to see the form hold up,'' Snowden said.
'The Randwick race sets up well for Hopper. He's drawn a nice gate and should get his chance.''
