Daumier, Cascadian and Hellfest provide Godolphin with a Stakes trio
Godolphin will provide one of the top G1 Golden Slipper chances at Rosehill Gardens next month after Daumier won the $1.5 million G1 Blue Diamond Stakes for two-year-old’s over 1,200m at Caulfield on Saturday, 26 February.
The colt, having just his third start, pounced on the leaders early in the home straight and, under strong riding from Mark Zahra, edged out Revolutionary Miss and Jacquinot.
The win gave co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman their second Blue Diamond winner from the Godolphin stable in four years (Lyre in 2019). The co-trainers also won the Blue Diamond with Artorius in 2021 who went on to finish sixth in the G1 Golden Slipper, but the Freedmans are hoping Daumier can do better.
“This colt has shown very good ability from day one and it's nice to see it come to fruition,” Sam Freedman said.
“We are proud of the whole team. Mark Zahra gave him a great ride. To Godolphin, they've supported us with a handful of horses every year and everyone there is a pleasure to work with.”
For Zahra, victory was the combination of a lot of hard work for the Freedman stable. “You put in the work, he gets the blinkers on, and you get the result, it’s very rewarding.”
Earlier at Caulfield, Godolphin’s Irish-bred galloper Cascadian won the G2 Peter Young Stakes at weight-for-age over 1,800m. Cascadian showed his class to beat Yonkers and Emissary at his second start back this preparation.
“He was able to use his turn of foot against those horses”, head trainer James Cummings said.
“That run would play into our favour if we stick to the plan and run him in the G1 Australian Cup next start with the chance to leave the All Star Mile on the agenda, potentially on the back-up.”
Jockey Damien Oliver parked Cascadian in third spot on the fence before pulling across the leader's heels at the 300m mark. Cascadian wore down Yonkers to take his record to seven wins and 11 placings from 34 starts.
The weekend had kicked off brilliantly for Cummings and Godolphin when Hellfest won the G3 Typhoon Tracy Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1,200m at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
The Fastnet Rock filly, offered by Cressfield Stud and bought by Godolphin at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale charged home from midfield to grab the win right on the post.
After a maiden win at Newcastle last December and a Benchmark 64 victory at Gosford in early February, Hellfest took the leap to Stakes-grade in her stride.
“That’s a huge win for her”, Cummings said.
“Now as a G3 winner and the daughter of a G1-winning mare (Mid Summer Music) her value skyrocketed which is great for the farm.”
“It continues the record the team has of buying a small number of quality horses from the sales.”
Hellfest’s race record is now four starts for three wins.
