Arts thriving ahead of interstate mission

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:33pm on May 23rd

The last time Ed Cummings was in Adelaide for a Group 1 race, it was as an assistant trainer to his father Anthony with a horse at the end of its preparation.

Fast forward seven years and Cummings is back in town as a successful trainer in his own right, this time with promising filly Arts, the early favourite for Saturday's Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.

"We took a horse there called Believe for the (2016) Australasian Oaks and South Australian Oaks," Cummings recalled of his last Group 1 visit.

"She probably came to the end of it before we got her there so she wasn't quite as good as we would have hoped.

"But Arts is in a different place in her preparation and her racing life at the moment."

A lightly raced daughter of Xtravagant, Arts was a brilliant winner of the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000) at Randwick two starts ago and was far from disgraced when she backed up seven days later to finish fifth in the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) despite racing keenly.

Cummings expects a drop back in distance to suit the filly, who is still learning her race craft.

"We know she's got plenty in the locker, it's just a matter of her coming to terms with relaxing over those longer distances at the moment," he said.

"She was still keen in the Adrian Knox and was too good for them, so we know it's all there and she is getting smarter with every run.

"We're very pleased with how she has done since the Oaks and the way she's relaxing in her work now.

"She had her final piece of work yesterday (Tuesday) morning at Flemington and she's in good nick."

Top Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton partnered Arts to her Group 3 win and will make the trip to Morphettville to reunite with her in the Australasian Oaks.

Cummings also has Group 1 plans for stable star Duais, who has continued her comeback from a bone chip operation with a barrier trial win at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The mare, who hasn't raced since last year's Melbourne Cup, is likely to have a light campaign with the Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 20 pencilled in for her return.

"We haven't made any firm commitment to anything but the Doomben Cup at this point," Cummings said.

"She seems as good as ever and has trialled accordingly."

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th