NewsBite

Ray Thomas’ Blackbook: Trainer James Cummings in raptures over Kerguelen’s Kembla debut

On a day when James Cummings won a stakes race with Commemorative at Scone, it would have been easy to dismiss a Kembla maiden winner on Saturday. But the trainer knows exactly how much potential Kerguelen has.

Ray Thomas
7 min read
May 20, 2024 - 7:00AM
Kerguelen cruises to the line to win his debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos
Kerguelen cruises to the line to win his debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos

“I can’t remember the last time I trained a horse to win by nine-and-a-half lengths!”

This was Godolphin maestro James Cummings’s take on Kerguelen’s brilliant debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday.

On a day when Cummings won a stakes race with the impressive Commemorative at the Scone stand-alone meeting and, interstate, the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 produced a classic finish with Bella Nipotina running down I Wish I Wish, the win of Kerguelen could have gone largely unnoticed.

But after a quick perusal of the provincial meeting race replays, Kerguelen’s win stands out like a beacon.

A rising four-year-old by champion Lonhro, Kerguelen was three-wide without cover early before doing some work to cross and lead by the 700m. From that point, the race turned into a procession as the gelding careered away from his rivals.

• Cummings’ gentle giant Commemorative monsters rivals at Scone

“I think Kerguelen’s an interesting horse who we had to give a lot of time, too,’’ Cummings said.

“But we are keeping our feet on the ground with this horse and will bring him through the grades. I hope he can keep backing up that visually impressive debut win.’’

Cummings wasn’t as definitive about immediate plans for Commemorative despite the giant Godolphin filly’s dominance of the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes at Scone.

“We will have a good look at her on Monday and decide what we do,’’ Cummings said.

“There’s a chance she might go for a spell but she’s only lightly-raced and it is feasible we could look at Brisbane. I thought her win at Scone was very good.’’

• She’s Ridgey-didge: Pride of Scone delivers in Ortensia Stakes

Hometown hero Opal Ridge stole the show at the Scone stand-alone meeting for the second year in succession with her strong win in the Listed Ortensia Stakes. This was her first win since scoring in the Luskin Star Stakes at the same meeting 12 months ago.

Trainer Luke Pepper used the Scone meeting to launch Opal Ridge’s Brisbane winter carnival campaign last year when she raced without luck in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes and Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara.

Pepper is following a similar Brisbane race program with Opal Ridge but he has prepared her differently this year

Opal Ridge was first-up in the Ortensia Stakes but last year she had four runs prior to going to Brisbane.

“We missed the Sydney autumn deliberately with her to concentrate on Brisbane,’’ Pepper said.

“I super proud of her on Saturday, she never lets us down and it was so exciting to win on her home track.

“She had a really good ‘blow’ after the race, she peaked with about 50m to go and I know there is good improvement in her heading north.’’

Pepper said he would decide on the Group 2 Morton Cup on June 8 or the Dane Ripper Stakes the following week as her lead-up run into the Tatt’s Tiara.

“I think this is a better preparation into the Tiara this year which is her Grand Final and how we get there is through either of those two races,’’ he said.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

YOU CAN BET ON IT

Opal Ridge, winner of the Ortensia Stakes, was the best-backed runner at the Scone meeting.

The Luke Pepper-trained Opal Ridge was heavily backed with TAB Fixed Odds including a bet of $5,200 at $2.40, another wager of $2,500 at $3 and multiple $1,000 bets at $3.

Luskin Star Stakes winner Coastwatch eased from $17 to $23 but still landed some good bets including multiple outlays of $200 each way at $23/$5 and several $100 wins best at $23, $18 and $17.

Fall For Cindy also eased from $8 to $8.50 prior to her win in the Dark Jewel Classic but she had her supporters with multiple $1,500 and $1,000 bets at $8 and $8.50.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

FIVE TO FOLLOW

• OPAL RIDGE (Scone race 7) was impressive winning the Ortensia Stakes on her return to racing. She was obviously in need of the run but her class got her home. Opal Ridge will be even fitter for her Brisbane campaign with the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara the main aim.

• IOWNA MERC (Scone race 7) went back from a wide barrier and was standing the leaders a big start on the turn but he ran on strongly to be beaten less than a length behind Opal Ridge. Iowna Merc has the versatility to be ridden anywhere in a race and will improve off his excellent comeback run.

• COMMEMORATIVE (Scone race 6) is a very talented filly as she demonstrated with her dominant win in the Denise’s Joy Stakes. She’s only lightly-raced but has considerable potential. The Godolphin filly can keep winning.

• UNUSUAL LEGACY (Scone race 4) looked to be under pressure at the top of the straight but the further the race went the stronger he got as he won second-up over 1700m. Promising stayer who can storm through the grades in coming weeks.

• KERGUELEN (Kembla Grange race 4): You don’t often see a first starter win a provincial maiden won by nearly 10 lengths but that’s what Godolphin’s Kerguelen managed at Kembla Grange. The heavy track and quality of opposition needs to be taken into account but Kerguelen, a son of champion Lonhro, looked well above average as he streaked home.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

TURF TALK

“Every time Opal Ridge goes around I’m a nervous wreck. She’s had a long time off but kept her cool and got the job done – it’s her trainer who is no good on raceday!” — Trainer Luke Pepper.

“What a win, she is in flying form – but the race could not have gone worse for us in the first half. But she was very comfortable on that surface, the tempo was nice and as soon as I asked her for an effort, she quickened really well.’’ — apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd, rider of Fall For Cindy.

“We saw the real Commemorative today, she was fantastic.” — Lloyd again.

“Commemorative has promised to deliver something of that nature and she was very good today.” — Godolphin’s Darren Beadman.

“I loved the way this filly (Lazzura) pinned her ears back and showed an impressive turn of foot.” — jockey Tommy Berry.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

CRUNCH TIME

• OPAL RIDGE (Scone race 7) recorded the fastest closing sectionals of the Scone meeting with the final 600m of the Ortensia Stakes run in 34.22s on the soft 6 track. Opal Ridge came from midfield on the turn to win by a half length. She would have gone close to breaking 34s for the sectional even though she was tiring noticeably near the line.

• COMMEMORATIVE (Scone race 6) monstered her rivals in the Denise’s Joy Stakes, ripping home from back in the field to win by more than a length. The race’s final 600m was run in 34.23s but Commemorative would have broken 34s for the closing sectional.

• DOLLAR MAGIC (Scone race 10) broke an exasperating sequence of second placings with a dominant effort in the Scone closer, breaking 1m 04s for the 1100m with a final 600m of 34.45s.

• FALL FOR CINDY (Scone race 8) broke 1m 23s for the Scone 1400m winning the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic – a solid gallop given the track wasn’t playing fast given the soft conditions.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

STEWARDS SAY

Amenable’s rider, Tommy Berry, told stewards his mount was dropping back in distance for the Luskin Star Stakes (race 9) and did not show as much speed as anticipated early and settled further back in the field. At the 400m, Berry directed Amenable back towards the inside looking for a clear run. However, Amenable became awkwardly placed until approaching the 200m then took a number of strides to balance up under his big weight before closing off strongly for second.

Bacchanalia (race 7) was fractious and became cast in the barriers. Stewards ordered his late scratching on veterinary advice. Bacchanalia needs to barrier trial before being allowed to race again.

Graceful Artist (race 3) was racing tight to the outside of Let’s Go Barbie near the 600m and apprentice Dylan Gibbons told stewards his filly seemed to lose confidence and travelled only fairly from that point of the race. Graceful Artist was held up early in the straight but failed to close off the race.

Rematch (race 2) ran third and stewards questioned apprentice Braith Nock about his riding near the finish line. Nock told stewards he was concerned there may have been a horse to his outside so he stopped riding with the whip and endeavoured to correct Rematch, before then pushing his mount just prior to the finish. Stewards afforded Nock the benefit of the doubt but advised him to ride with full vigour to the finish wherever possible.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

SCONE SNAPSHOT WITH RON DUFFICY

RUN OF THE DAY
Opal Ridge resumed with style doing a great job winning the Ortensia Stakes. She will likely head to Queensland now with a full head of steam and prove very competitive.

FORGET THEY RAN
Amenable had a big weight, got a little off balance ducking and weaving down the straight and probably ended up on the softer section of the track.

HORSES TO FOLLOW
Iowna Merc had a lot to do dragging back from a wide barrier and did more than enough first-up. Also, stick with Unusual Legacy – he’s not the finished article yet but in 12 months’ time he will be a very good stayer.

RIDE OF THE DAY
Rory Hutchings picked up the ride on Unusual Suspect and he was an able choice using his inside draw racing closer than normal and then lifted him over the line.

NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD
#What’s on in NSW racing this week:
Monday: Albury, Taree
Tuesday: Coffs Harbour, Tamworth
Wednesday: Warwick Farm
Thursday: Hawkesbury
Friday: Goulburn, Murwillumbah
Saturday: Royal Randwick, Newcastle
Sunday: Gunnedah, Moruya

Originally published as Ray Thomas’ Blackbook: Trainer James Cummings in raptures over Kerguelen’s Kembla debut

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/ray-thomas-blackbook-trainer-james-cummings-in-raptures-over-kerguelens-kembla-debut/news-story/fee0ad8753793169e3ea51c4dd0ed753