Broadsiding and Traffic Warden can secure their stud career at Godolphin with success in the Group 1 Golden Rose
They may not be in the same league as Anamoe - yet - but star colts Broadsiding and Traffic Warden can join the champ on Godolphin’s stallion roster with victory in the Group 1 Golden Rose.
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The magnificent framed portrait of Anamoe holding pride of place in trainer James Cummings’ office embodies the ethos of Godolphin’s racing and breeding operation.
Anamoe, the former champion racehorse, is now on their stallion roster to breed the equine stars of tomorrow.
“We have a lot invested in Anamoe at stud, he’s going to play a big role for us in the next decade or so,’’ Cummings said.
“In his first season, he got 148 mares in foal so he’s incredibly fertile, and he continues to be very popular (with breeders).
“This is the business we are in – to keep generating the next bloodlines.’’
🎥 | Godolphin trainer James Cummings gives @RayThomas_1 a close look at gun three-year-olds Broadsiding and Traffic Warden ahead of the Group 1 Golden Rose on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/3Klnkehzs0
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) September 26, 2024
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Cummings has prepared many outstanding racehorses during his training career but Anamoe is his first bona fide champion.
It’s too early to use the “c” word for Broadsiding or Traffic Warden but if either of the gifted Godolphin colts can win the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, then they will be on their way to be afforded racing’s ultimate accolade and secure a future stud career.
The phrase “stallion-making race” has become part of the racing vernacular in the modern era with the cliche used for any number of races, but it certainly applies to the Golden Rose more than most.
The last 12 Golden Rose winners have been colts and all have eventually retired to stud with varying commercial success.
Godolphin already has a great record in the Golden Rose, winning the race with crack colts Bivouac (2019), Astern (2016) and Exosphere (2015) before all three went to stand at their Darley Stud.
Anamoe didn’t win the Golden Rose – he charged home to finish second behind In The Congo in 2021 – but he did retire with nine Group 1 wins on his record and more than $12m before going to stud.
So, there is a lot riding on the Golden Rose result for every runner and if a well-bred colt is successful, then his value will soar to at least $20m.
Godolphin holds a particularly strong hand in the three-year-old classic with Broadsiding the $3.30 favourite and Traffic Warden next in betting at $3.90.
Cummings, who has won the Golden Rose previously with Bivouac (2019) and Hallowed Crown (2014), has his two star colts stabled at Godolphin’s picturesque private training facility, situated on the Hawkesbury River at Agnes Banks near Richmond, and boasting the Blue Mountains as a backdrop.
I’ve been fortunate to visit Cummings at the property a number of times in recent years, usually on the eve of a spring carnival, and normally the weather for these early morning trackwork sessions is bitterly cold with the grass tracks kissed by frost.
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But this year Sydney has had a warm start to spring and Godolphin’s horses are absolutely thriving in the milder climate.
Broadsiding and Traffic Warden are classic examples. Both are striking colts and their coats were gleaming brightly in the morning sun.
“The way Broadsiding has developed physically since his Brisbane campaign is pleasing to see, he looks amazing,’’ Cummings said.
“He has put on nice condition, he has grown quite naturally and it hasn’t been too much so that it might be detrimental.
“As for improvement, I’ve kept it really simple with the horse and he is just coming to hand nicely.
“Like every impressive two-year-old he has to prove he can make that leap coming back as a three-year-old but all the signs are good.’’
The Godolphin maestro was also full of praise for Traffic Warden’s physical appearance.
“Traffic Warden has had the experience of seven runs as a two-year-old, as Broadsiding did, so he is a very tough campaigner,’’ Cummings said.
“He will be able to hold his own this season.’’
The two star colts then came out onto the Agnes Banks training track separately for their morning gallops.
Cummings and his trusty stable lieutenants Paul Reid and Hall of Fame jockey Darren Beadman, all dressed in Godolphin’s signature blue jackets and caps, watched the gallops intently through their binoculars.
There was nothing said between the three men until Broadsiding completed his gallop.
“Really nice work, that horse is coming along well,’’ Cummings said.
It was the same for Traffic Warden before Cummings broke the silence: “He stretched out beautifully to the line.’’
But Broadsiding – and Traffic Warden for that matter – has a long way to go to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Anamoe.
However, when comparing their two-year-old careers, Broadsiding won twice at Group 1 level in the Champagne Stakes and JJ Atkins Stakes, while Anamoe “only” had a single Group 1 win as a juvenile in the ATC Sires, although he was placed in the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond.
• Golden Rose tips, runner-by-runner form analysis
Broadsiding chases a third Group 1 win in the Golden Rose on Saturday and he will need to create a piece of racing history to achieve the feat.
Cummings is sending Broadsiding into the Golden Rose without a lead-up run but since the Golden Rose was introduced in 2003, no horse has won the three-year-old classic first-up from a spell.
But there is arguably no more exciting three-year-old in the country than Broadsiding and Cummings has given the colt a solid base to prepare for the big race with two barrier trials and an exhibition gallop.
“We have been delighted with how he has come back,’’ Cummings said.
“He’s taken those ‘lung burners’ in his stride and is ready to fire fresh-up.
“Given his style and dominance in the JJ Atkins at a mile, he is going to look a pretty good horse in the Caulfield Guineas once he gets up and going but there are many so options to choose from.’’
Once again, Anamoe enters the conversation.
After his Golden Rose second placing, he dominated his rivals in the Caulfield Guineas before Cummings ran his crack colt in the Cox Plate only to be controversially beaten by State Of Rest on the racetrack and in the stewards room.
Cummings is considering running Broadsiding in the $5m Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on October 26 and such is the colt’s lofty reputation he is already on the third line of betting for that race.
“The Golden Rose is the starting point then we can consider the Caulfield Guineas, Spring Champion Stakes, he also holds a nomination for the Cox Plate,’’ Cummings said.
“That’s the calibre of horse we are talking about, we are excited about his prospects that’s for sure.’’
The topic then turns to Traffic Warden and once again, there is reason to mention Anamoe as both horses share the same stallion, Darley’s leading sire Street Boss.
Although Traffic Warden hasn’t won a Group 1 race yet, he was unlucky and underrated as a two-year-old with his best win coming in the Group 2 VRC Sires’.
But Traffic Warden made an emphatic statement with his comeback win in the Run To The Rose earlier this month, emulating Anamoe’s win in the same race three years ago.
“He was ready to go in the Run To The Rose and showed he had made that good leap forward,’’ Cummings said of Traffic Warden.
“But I think he was a bit under the radar last season. In the weeks leading up to the Golden Slipper he was huge odds but on Slipper Day he was a lot closer to 20/1 and ran a great race.
“Then he had the AJC Sires’ absolutely shot to pieces only to just get rolled on that wet track.
“I think he’s a better horse now and he will certainly be taking some beating in the Golden Rose. He’s certainly going to arrive there a fit horse, second-up and ready to fire.’’
Cummings also has ambitions to take on older shores at weight-for-age with Traffic Warden this spring, namely the $20m The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 19.
“I have a decision to make, do I pull Traffic Warden back for The Everest or push on to the Guineas,’’ Cummings said.
“The Golden Rose is quite well situated in the spring to be a fork in the road to make that decision.
“One week is a long time in the life of a spring three-year-old, everything can really shift quite quickly.
“But Traffic Warden should have finished in the placings in the Golden Slipper so there is no doubting his credentials at 1200m and three-year-olds have an enviable record in The Everest already.’’
After the trackwork session, Cummings kindly paraded Broadsiding and Traffic Warden, the trainer admiring the condition and fitness of both star colts.
The Golden Rose can make or break stallion careers but Cummings is content he has Broadsiding and Traffic Warden are set to run big races on Saturday, the trainer’s relaxed demeanour reflected in the laid-back attitude of both three-year-olds.
“We couldn’t have either horse any better for the Golden Rose,’’ Cummings said.
“It will be a great race, like everyone we need a bit of luck but if we get that, then I’m confident Broadsiding and Traffic Warden will be in the finish.’’
Colt’s aura has J-Mac pumped
Champion jockey James McDonald believes boom Godolphin colt Broadsiding is gaining the aura and swagger reserved for elite racehorses.
McDonald is undefeated in three rides on Broadsiding and they team up again for the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Although Sydney’s reigning premier jockey concedes Broadsiding is confronted by a difficult assignment to win the Golden Rose first-up from a spell, he has a lot of faith in the James Cummings-trained three-year-old.
“With all the good colts I have been lucky enough to be associated with, they have this aura about them and they think they are invincible,’’ McDonald said.
“Broadsiding is starting to get that. He has a bit of swagger about him.’’
McDonald’s previous wins on Broadsiding include Group 1 successes in the Champagne Stakes and JJ Atkins, and also the Fernhill Handicap, each race over 1600m.
But the jockey is adamant Broadsiding has the ability and acceleration to win over 1400m in the Golden Rose.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, he has a big task ahead of him running in the Golden Rose first-up,’’ McDonald said.
“But he’s an extremely talented horse. He is very adaptable in any conditions over any distance, he has the style to suit the map or track and he’s got this great, sustained speed.’’
The James Cummings-trained Broadsiding repeatedly demonstrated his brilliant acceleration last season, particularly in his wins in the BRC Sires Produce Stakes and JJ Atkins in Queensland during the winter carnival.
“Broadsiding is a beautiful horse,’’ McDonald said.
“James has placed him really well, and the horse has raced in and won some very high-quality races.
“But what we have noticed about this colt is his knack of improving every start. The horse is getting bigger and better every time.
“His barrier trial was tremendous the other day. He rode like he has grown a hand so he’s in a rich vein of form.’’
Broadsiding goes to the Golden Rose off two barrier trials and an exhibition gallop between races, and TAB fixed odds price assessors have rated him the $3.30 favourite.
McDonald, who has been in sensational form this season with 32 city winners already since August 1, has another powerful book of eight rides at Rosehill Gardens.
They include Osipenko in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m), Changingoftheguard in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) and Gatsby’s in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m).
Originally published as Broadsiding and Traffic Warden can secure their stud career at Godolphin with success in the Group 1 Golden Rose
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