Trainer Ed Cummings’ mare a work of Arts
A setback interrupted carnival plans for stakes-winner Arts last season, but it might have also provided the slow-maturing mare with the extra time she needed.
The rising five-year-old will kick off her latest campaign in the ATC Thank You Stable Staff Handicap (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday, her first appearance at the races since October last year.
The winner of the 2023 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at just her third start, Arts went on to run fifth in Pennyweka’s ATC Australian Oaks on a seven-day back-up, those performances coming as a pleasant surprise to trainer Ed Cummings given the daughter of Xtravagant was far from the finished product.
“She was always that little bit backward and immature. Even when she won the Adrian Knox and ran well in the Oaks, it was well before her time,” Cummings said.
“The way she has come back in and the way she has been holding her condition and been able to take a bit more work, they’re all signs that she has matured.”
Arts had just three runs last spring before succumbing to an illness that forced connections to send her back to the spelling paddock.
While it was tough to take at the time, Cummings chose to look on the bright side, knowing the extended break would give her room to furnish.
“Stepping out from three-year-old fillies’ grade to open company is always a tough challenge and she probably wasn’t quite there physically to do that,” he said.
It is a more robust version of Arts who has returned to Cummings’ stable and while her build up has been gradual, he is much happier with the mare’s work since her latest barrier trial at Hawkesbury.
He expects a few rivals to be too sharp for her over Saturday’s 1300m journey, but Cummings views the race as a nice campaign starting point.
“It’s well short of her best (distance), but she should be hitting the line well,” he said.
“She will wear the winkers first-up over a shorter trip.
“I was pretty happy with her last trial and I’ve been much happier with her since then. She’d had a genuinely long break, six or eight months, and it always takes them a bit longer to work the rust out.”
Sam Clipperton has the ride on Arts, who has drawn barrier seven.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...