Encryption to rekindle memories of star filly Guelph
Classic bloodlines, proven ability and a sense of timing accompany the debut of the two-year-old Encryption in Saturday’s Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield.
Encryption is the first foal of the four-time G1-winning filly Guelph who carried the colours of Godolphin’s founder, Sheikh Mohammed, to seven victories overall.
And her son by Lonhro, to be ridden by Damien Lane, is showing signs of having inherited at least some of her ability.
“He’s a lovely colt who’s gone ahead since he trialled so well at Flemington a couple of weeks ago,” said trainer James Cummings.
“He’s an unassuming type and although there’s a lot to like about him going into this race, we’ve got our feet on the ground.”
Cummings is also conscious of the timing of Encryption’s debut on a program that includes the G1 Thousand Guineas, a race won so brilliantly in 2013 by Guelph, a daughter of Exceed And Excel who is closely related to Sepoy.
“There’s something fitting about Guelph’s first foal making his debut on the day she won her fourth G1 in the Thousand Guineas,” he said.
Encryption’s appearance follows that a week earlier of Ranier who finished the closest of seconds on his debut at Flemington, a performance that gave Cummings a further guide.
“We feel like he’s going every bit as good as Ranier who ran so well at Flemington last weekend,” he said.
Cummings is also looking for a forward showing from Jorda (Glyn Schofield), who runs in the G3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes at Caulfield.
The winner of the Listed Gimcrack Stakes on debut this time last year, Jorda has raced only twice since, and her trainer is confident she can improve on her last-start eighth at Flemington.
“On paper her run at Flemington last month doesn’t look great, but she had legitimate excuses - she hadn’t been down the straight before, she was out on a limb without cover and she struck herself behind,” Cummings said.
“She’s been good in jump outs since, so I would be confident of a good run from her at Caulfield.”
