Global Weekly Preview: Cummings gets an early feel of Millions fever

Godolphin trainer James Cummings has taken the opportunity this week to drink in the captivating atmosphere of Queensland’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

But now, he must wait 12 months before learning whether the impressive collection of purchases that marked Godolphin’s return to this famous sales ring deliver the desired results on the big day.

The Magic Millions concept is well known and hugely successful. Horses bought at the sale can return, year on year, to compete for the huge prize money up for grabs. Most races are worth nearly A$1m.

The fact that there are again nine races on the card, each featuring a capacity 16-runner field, is a huge endorsement for what is on offer in the sales/racing package.

In a perfect world, Cummings can look forward next year to having a multiple entry in the MM 2YO Classic, which is run over 1,200m (six furlongs).

It is widely believed that there is more depth to this year’s Classic field than ever before, and that can only be good for the meeting.

Three horses are currently vying for favouritism, all of whom have won their last two starts.

Sunlight, a Zoustar filly out of a Charge Forward mare, finished third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington in October, but then recently put together two impressive wins on the Gold Coast. She has excellent credentials.

Jonker, who is by Spirit of Boom out of a Kempinsky mare, has won his only two starts, and is another to register wide-margin victories early in his career.

While Ef Troop, another by Spirit Of Boom, won twice at Doomben, hard on the heels of two barrier trial successes. He could be a true star.

Nomothaj, who carries the blue and white silks of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, won the Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington in October, and has since attracted attention in a Sydney barrier trial.