Impending at peak for G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup
Godolphin’s high-class colt Impending is in the best form of his life as he heads to Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup and a re-match with his Doomben 10,000 conqueror, English.
Trainer James Cummings is confident Impending has improved since going down by a head to English in the 10,000, a race in which another of his rivals on Saturday, Le Romain, finished a close third.
As well as the improvement the colt has made, Impending (Damien Browne) has an extra 150m to run in the Kingsford-Smith, a factor Cummings sees as vital to his prospects.
Impending has produced powerful finishes at his past two starts, his Doomben 10,000 placing being preceded by a strong finishing win, also over 1200m, when resuming in the G2 Victory Stakes.
“I think the extra 150m will allow the horse to travel into the race more strongly and hopefully get over top of them,” Cummings said.
Cummings said the son of Lonhro had pleased him since his last run and indicated he was on song with a strong piece of work this week.
“He galloped on the course proper at Doomben on Tuesday morning and he let down beautifully. I think he really enjoyed the speed he was able to gallop at on the grass,” the trainer said.
“He hit the line well but was still held together in the style of a horse who’s in the best form of his career.
“He’s having a terrific campaign and I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s trained on since the Doomben 10,000.
“He’s tightened up nicely but still looks strong and muscled up beautifully for this event.
“This is going to be an exciting moment for him, he’s really set up for a big run this time.”
English, who also has winning G1 form at 1400m to her credit, and Le Romain, twice a G1 winner at 1600m and also a Stakes winner at 1200m are again the obvious dangers, along with the filly Champagne Cuddles.
It is intended for Impending to continue on to the G1 Stradbroke Handicap, a race he won last year, at Doomben on 9 June, before he retires to Darley’s Northwood Park stud farm in Victoria.
