Trainer Anthony Cummings has his sights on a big payday later in the year with comeback galloper Caesars Palace

A much-improved performance from Caesars Palace last start has given trainer Anthony Cummings the belief the gelding is ready to hit his best form at Rosehill on Saturday.

Caesars Palace is ready to bounce back to his best form at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Grant Guy

Trainer Anthony Cummings is confident comeback galloper Caesars Palace is ready to regain top form in the TAB Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Caesars Palace, a winner of seven races, a Group 2 placegetter and earner of more than $500,000 prizemoney, did not race for nearly a year before two disappointing, unplaced runs at stakes level in March.

Cummings didn’t persevere with autumn carnival plans, instead gave Caesars Palace a let-up before resuming at Randwick earlier this month where the gelding ran on well for fifth to Excelladus.

“When Caesars Palace came back in last time he just didn’t come up,’’ Cummings said.

“Even his old man (Casino Prince) did a similar thing, he had one really flat preparation, and this guy has done the same.

Caesars Palace is too strong for them late!🟨🔴

Jason Collett timing things to perfection for @CummingsRacing. pic.twitter.com/0jGT8hKmML

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 16, 2022

“But he has returned much better and found his right form. That was about as good as he goes last start.’’

NSW’s leading jockey Aaron Bullock rode Caesars Palace at Randwick was taken by the gelding’s run and was keen to retain the ride for Rosehill.

“The plan is to go to the South Grafton Cup next with Caesars Palace and try to qualify for the Big Dance,’’ Cummings said.

“He has the right sort of profile to be in the Big Dance, he is a pretty good miler.’’

Given the stable confidence in Caesars Palace, the gelding might be over the odds at $31 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting.

Cummings also has Manwe in the Midway Handicap (1300m) and the in-form Shehasattitude in the Racing For Good On July 13 Handicap (1400m) but the trainer is having second thoughts about running both after they drew wide barriers.

“Manwe has a bad gate (barrier 18) and we might look at a three-year-old 1300m next week for him,’’ he said.

“Shehasattitude has also drawn off the track (barrier 14) and she might end up in the same race as Manwe next week.

“But there is also a race for her at Canterbury on Wednesday that we will think about. She is going great and it is worth protecting her good record.’’

BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Rosehill Gardens

Race 1: Emmadella $8-$6, Flying Trapeze $15-$10

Race 2: Cranky Harry $6-$5.50, Shihab $15-$12

Race 3: Father’s Day $3.60-$3.10, Gan Teorainn $6-$4.60

Race 4: Amberite $6.50-$4.60, Nana’s Wish $9-$7.50

Race 5: Ha Ha Ha $6-$4.60, African Daisy $8-$6.50, Dazzling Lucy $8-$7.50

Race 6: Jambalaya $8-$5.50, Cosmonova $11-$8.50

Race 7: Golden Path $3.50-$3.30, Waterford $4.40-$3.60

Race 8: Pure Alpha $4.40-$4.20, Silvanito $11-$8, Little Cointreau $15-$13

Race 9: I’mintowin $4.60-$4.40, Testator Silens $8-$5, Aramco $11-$8.50, Akasawa $15-$10

Race 10: Franz Josef $2.80-$2.70 with a $2,000 bet at $2.70, Bear On The Loose $6.50-$5.50, Don Diego De Vega $9-$6.50, Time Quest $9-$6

Race 11: Kazou $8-$7, Bojangles $8-$7, King Of Naples $11-$9.50

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 4: 3,11,12,15

Race 5: 1,2,3,4

Race 6: 8,9,10,13

Race 7: 2,5,7

QUADDIE

Race 8: 1,7,12,15

Race 9: 1,4,10,14

Race 10: 1,6,9

Race 11: 4,11,22

PRICE CHECK

Franz Josef (race 10), winner of four of his five starts, has been well-backed to continue his impressive form. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Franz Josef opened at $2.80 but has firmed into $2.70 favouritism after consistent support including a $2,000 bet at $2.70.

Flashy Franz Josef makes it two in a row!@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/Dzdkg3fW2A

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

TRIAL POINTERS

Aberlour (race 5) is making her Australian debut for the Joe Pride stable after showing promise in New Zealand, winning her last three starts in succession including two stakes wins. Aberlour hasn’t raced since her Southland Guineas romp by more than five lengths back in February but she has looked the part in two Warwick Farm barrier trials including her impressive win over 1200m two weeks ago. She showed good speed early, led clearly throughout and won by nearly two lengths in smart time despite the heavy track conditions.

Fortune (race 9), a Group 3 placegetter and winner of two of his 10 starts in France, is also making his Australian debut for new trainer Annabel Neasham. He’s impressed in two barrier trials, particularly at Hawkesbury in a 1250m heat earlier this month where he stalked the lead before cruising clear to win impressively.

SECTIONAL STARS

In Flight (race 6) has won two of her three starts this preparation and was particularly impressive at Rosehill two weeks ago when she scored over 1100m. She was held up at the top of the straight and had to switch back inside and still sprinted her final 600m in 35.28s despite the heavy conditions to score a convincing win.

Jedibeel (race 11) is racing in very good form this campaign as evidenced by a dynamic win at Canterbury last start. Jedibeel unleashed a brilliant final 600m of 34.97s – he was the only horse at the meeting to break 35s for this sectional – as he ran down Mogo Magic to win impressively.

Kadavar motors home to defeat Father's Day at Randwick!@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/bmsOKBj1Lh

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 12, 2024

BEST BET

Father’s Day (race 3) goes fourth-up into the Stayers Cup at 2400m and is working up to a win after successive seconds at Randwick over 2000m and over 2400m at Kensington. Father’s Day drops 8.5kg to 52kg after the claim, is the likely leader and should be able to control the tempo to suit. He did win fourth-up at 2400m last preparation, the improving track conditions suit, and he looks very hard to beat.

VALUE

Bojangles (race 11), trained by Kim Waugh, won at Hawkesbury impressively when resuming then chased home the talented Schwarz when second in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Bojangles then went to the Scone stand-alone meeting last start and was held up for a run at a vital stage in the straight before charging through the pack to finish sixth to Elson Boy. Bojangles has been freshened since and had a tick-over trial at Wyong last week. He’s drawn well in barrier three, well-weighted after the claim and is good value around $7.

Originally published as Trainer Anthony Cummings has his sights on a big payday later in the year with comeback galloper Caesars Palace