Paulele in the mix for The Everest after brilliant win in Schillaci Stakes on a dominant day for Godolphin at Caulfield

Godolphin brains trust meets Monday to select their Everest runner while Anamoe is right on track for the Cox Plate

Paulele remains a prime candidate for the Godolphin slot in Saturday’s The Everest after his impressive Caulfield win on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images

Godolphin trainer James Cummings, buoyed by his stable’s dominance of the Caulfield Guineas meeting, has a pressing decision to lock in their sprinter for the $15m The TAB Everest on Saturday.

Cummings trained four stakes winners at Caulfield including dual Group 1 triumphs with Anamoe in the Might And Power Stakes and Golden Mile in the Guineas, while Paulele was impressive beating stablemate Ingratiating in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes.

Brilliant four-year-old Paulele has been widely regarded as Godolphin’s number one seed for The Everest but the stable is understood to also be considering Ingratiating and warhorse Kementari for their slot.

“Paulele would certainly be a wonderful representative for us in The Everest,’’ Cummings told Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday.

“But I’m not sure if that is the best decision for Paulele at the moment. We have that conversation to play out on Monday.’’

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The Godolphin stable brains trust of Vin Cox, Ross Cole, Jason Walsh and Cummings meet Monday to determine their Everest runner.

Cummings even cheekily floated the possibility of approaching top English jockey Hollie Doyle to ride their brilliant filly In Secret in The Everest if she was selected for the world’s richest turf race.

But Godolphin seems intent on keeping In Secret racing against her own age this spring with the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day likely to be her next start.

This would leave Godolphin’s Everest choice between the three older, established sprinters. Kementari is firming as their likely pick as he is definitely racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday in either The Everest or the $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m).

Paulele storms home in the Schillaci Stakes 👏@[e-mail]/ceKe6X9Fwk

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 8, 2022

Cummings also revealed Anamoe and Golden Mile have pulled up well after their big-race wins on Saturday.

Anamoe’s spring plans are set in stone, it’s all about the $5m Cox Plate in two weeks for the equine superstar, but the trainer is still unsure of the immediate racing future of Golden Mile.

Ominously, Cummings said there is improvement to come from Anamoe who seemed to lose his momentum on the home turn before rallying late to run down I’m Thunderstruck and Zaaki to win the Might And Power Stakes.

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“I think after having three weeks between the George Main Stakes and the Caulfield (Might And Power) Stakes he will be absolutely spot on fourth-up when we arrive at the Cox Plate in two weeks,’’ Cummings said.

“Anamoe has a history of not handling the (home) turn at Caulfield and while he has won two Group 1 races at the track during his career, there is no guarantee he is a Caulfield specialist.

“But the last 300m was a proper horse race and it was good to see him knuckle down and show what an elite horse he is.’’

Cummings said Golden Mile does not hold a nomination for the Cox Plate while the $2m Spring Champion Stakes was an option.

“There are no immediate plans for Golden Mile but he has pulled up fantastic,’’ Cummings said.

“The Spring Champion could be a cracking race but don’t be surprised if we tossed him in the paddock and encouraged everyone to look for him in the autumn. We have those options to consider so we will let it all play out and come to our decision soon.’’ 

Originally published as Paulele in the mix for The Everest after brilliant win in Schillaci Stakes on a dominant day for Godolphin at Caulfield