Differences but Cummings throws weight behind Golden Slipper pair

They are drawn wide apart and are at different ends of the betting market, but Godolphin head trainer James Cummings thinks there is little between his Golden Slipper runners Beiwacht and Tempted leading into Saturday’s G1 feature for two-year-olds at Rosehill Gardens.

Despite easily winning the G2 Silver Slipper at Rosehill last month, Beiwacht is at $41 in the Golden Slipper after having no luck last start and drawing barrier 16.

Tempted goes into the race off a stylish victory in the G2 Reisling Stakes at Randwick two weeks ago and is $5 after coming up with gate one.

Cummings feels the pace of the race, and a little luck in running, will have big influences on the outcome as he strives to win the world’s richest race for juveniles for the second time following Kiamichi’s success in 2019.

Cummings said Tempted had trained on nicely since her Reisling victory and had enough early speed to hold a good position from the jump.

“She came through the Reisling in good style, handled the run back in Sydney after the Blue Diamond quite effortlessly,” the trainer said.

“She is better for that run at Randwick, she’s improved again a fraction from the Reisling.
“She’s perfectly fit and perfectly ready to run a huge race this weekend.

“I like the campaign she’s had, she’s prepped up beautifully to be perfectly fit and still fresh enough with another big run in her legs.
“I think she gave us all a glimpse last time that she was a legitimate Slipper contender.”

Leading Melbourne jockey Blake Shinn takes over from James McDonald, who had a prior booking for Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton.  

“I think the barrier draw is an advantage for Tempted,” Cummings said.
“It gives Blake the opportunity to not be too worried about the first half of the race.

“He just needs to assertively hold his position and let the race unfold around him.

“That barrier draw tops off her preparation perfectly because it puts her in a position to have every conceivable chance of claiming the race, if she’s up for the fight and can get the run at the right time.”

Beiwacht was a victim of circumstances from the outside gate in the Todman Stakes a fortnight ago, but only needs a repeat of his previous run to be a serious contender.

“He’s a veteran of one start at Rosehill for one dominant two-length victory in the Silver Slipper,” Cummings said.

“I know he’s drawn awkwardly, but I’m optimistic he can gain a good run and it could work out for that horse because he’s got the ability to put himself into a race.

“I was tossing up whether to run the horse or not and I was kicking myself after they’d gone 300m in the Todman when he was caught wide and pulling hard.

“I think he would be anything but the forgotten horse had he not run in the Todman and just had a quiet barrier trial between starts.”

Kiamichi won her Slipper from barrier 14, the same gate Beiwacht (Adam Hyeronimus) will enter when the two emergencies come out.

“He’s got the ability to bounce back this horse, he did so on debut in a similar fashion in January,” Cummings said.
“He’s got some toughness and some resilience about him.

“The horse has prepped up like a very mature two-year-old, he’s got what it takes to be a very good two-year-old.

“Any Silver Slipper winner any year should have the credentials to be running a race in the Golden Slipper.”

Former champion juvenile Broadsiding was a brilliant first-up winner of the G2 Hobartville Stakes 1,400m at Rosehill before going down narrowly in the G1 Randwick Guineas last start.

Cummings had considered taking on the older horses at weight-for-age but has kept Broadsiding against three-year-olds in the G1 Rosehill Guineas 2,000m.

“We’ve elected to go to the Rosehill Guineas and we are confident that he’s going to run a race,” Cummings said.

“I think the horse was involved in a race that was somewhat disruptive, run along so fast at Randwick in the Guineas.

“Whilst he lost the race, I thought he ran very well.
“One thing that fast pace was able to do is to bring that horse right on.

“He has been absolutely humming since the Guineas and he should be perfectly fit for 10 furlongs now.”

McDonald retains the ride and the colt should again race close to the lead with the absence of renowned pacemakers.

“At first glance, it would not be the stable’s intention to be any quieter with the horse this weekend,” Cummings said.
“I think the set-up is inviting him to yet again take up a position.

“He’s not an easy horse to go on by, so from that perspective, if he was able to land in a good spot from that draw, I don’t think we’d want to give that away.

“This Rosehill Guineas gives him another good opportunity at set weights against his own age, one of the last chances he will get.”

Although easily beaten, Broadsiding was gallant in defeat when third in the G1 Cox Plate against the older horses over 2,040m in Melbourne last spring.

“He did run very good time at Moonee Valley last October, despite getting beaten 10 lengths by Via Sistina – who was just airborne that day,” Cummings said.

“It took two world-class horses to beat him home.
“We are not shying away from 2,000m in March against his own age.”

Tom Kitten came of age when he ran down champion galloper Mr Brightside in the G1 All-Star Mile at Flemington last start and has delighted Cummings since returning to Sydney to run in the G1 George Ryder Stakes 1,500m under Ben Melham.

“I like that he’s bringing that form line to this race and there are no three-year-olds in the Ryder this year,” Cummings said.
“It’s a time-honoured lead-up to the Doncaster, two weeks out at weight-for-age.

“He hasn’t got the best of draws, particularly in a race where the pace doesn’t look flash on paper.
“Horses like Gringotts and Royal Patronage look like they can run the race to suit themselves.

“He’ll no doubt have to give up something of a start at the top of the straight, but I think Tom Kitten brings the flex of that stylish win in the All-Star Mile to Sydney.

“The horse when he was last at Rosehill was a very impressive placegetter in the Golden Eagle, which is beginning to stack up as a very good form race.

“I like that he comes into this race third-up, he’s going to have a bit to do because of the draw, but he’s going to run a race.”

Giant mate Commemorative won the G3 Wenona Girl Quality in fast time at Randwick last start.

With Zac Lloyd to ride, the four-year-old now gets her first taste of G1 grade when she jumps from barrier two in the Galaxy over 1,100m.

“That mare is flying this preparation, she’s doing it the right way,” Cummings said.

“There’s plenty of pace in this Galaxy, she’s got that nice cushy draw and, although she could be further back than midfield, might be even towards the rear, she’s going to be able to save ground, enjoy the good pace and burst on the scene late.”

“In this form, with only 51kg, it’s a really inviting race for Commemorative.”