Another G1 Australian mile on the Godolphin agenda

Godolphin’s strong recent record in Australia’s major mile races could be looking even stronger after Spectroscope runs in Saturday’s G3 Bill Ritchie Stakes at Randwick.

Trainer James Cummings has the G1 Epsom Handicap in mind for the imported galloper should he run as well as expected in a race in which he will be accompanied by stablemate, and fellow import, Havana Cooler (Jason Collett).

Spectroscope (Corey Brown), whose early racing was done in France, made a bold impression on arrival in Australia, winning his first two starts, including the G3 Doncaster Prelude. 

His most recent effort was behind the record-breaking Deploy when he found the 1200m too sharp.

“He ran well first-up behind Deploy who has since run another record. He’s been building really nicely between runs and as a European import he’ll appreciate his runs being spaced,” Cummings said.

“He’ll get a good opportunity to get back into the winners’ circle here and lay down his Epsom hopes.”

Godolphin won last year’s Epsom, the major Sydney mile race of the Autumn, with Hauraki and followed with the victory of It’s Somewhat in the Spring equivalent, the G1 Doncaster Mile, earlier this year.

Also at Randwick on Saturday, the reliable campaigner Allergic (Josh Parr) gets some relief from chasing the champion mare Winx at his past two starts when he tackles the G3 Kingston Town Stakes.

“He’s third-up here and he gets to the 2000m for the first time this preparation, so we’d like to see him run a bit of a race,” Cummings said.

“I think he’s building toward something and I think he’ll finish a lot closer than at his previous two starts when he had to contend with Winx.”