Harmattan heads strong Godolphin support cast at Randwick

A quartet of highly promising fillies and a pair of colts with winning potential provide strong support to Godolphin’s G1 contenders on Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday, April 7.

The lightly-raced Harmattan who runs in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes is perhaps the more intriguing of the fillies whose ranks are completed by Banish, Demerara and Manicure in the G3 PJ Bell Stakes.

Cummings acknowledges the task confronting Harmattan, but says the signs are positive.

“This will be a solid test for her at 2000m, but she’s got the pedigree of a filly who would handle this trip,” he said.

“She’s really jumped out of the ground since we stepped her up in distance at her last couple of starts.”

Cummings is reluctant to declare any preference for his three fillies in the PJ Bell, making a sound case for each of them.

“Manicure looks like she’s improved a fraction going into this race second up.  She worked really strongly on Tuesday morning at Osborne Park and coming back to the three-year-old fillies class here she has an excellent chance,” he said.

“Demerara is absolutely flying this preparation and should really enjoy getting back to Sydney with fitness on her side for her toughest assignment this time in.

“The 1200m may be too sharp for Banish, we’re happy with the way she’s going, but there’s some improvement left in her.”

Of the colts, Cummings is keen to see the two-year-old Stunts continue improving in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes.

“He won impressively at Wyong last time and has justified his presence in a solid Group race here,” Cummings said.

“He galloped quite sharply on Tuesday morning at Warwick Farm and he’s got a bit of speed about him and he’s the sort of horse who can run very well in a high-pressure race.”

Beau Geste returns to three-year-old company in the G3 Carbine Club Stakes after a good effort behind stablemate Osborne Bulls at Rosehill on 31 March.

“From what I’ve seen of him this week he looks like he could benefit from the quick back-up,” Cummings said.

“He was desperately unlucky in a similar race in the spring and with a run similar to that I think he can be extremely competitive.”

The Randwick team is completed by Tally who is searching for a return to form in the G2 Chairman’s Quality.