Edward Cummings hopeful of obtaining interim approval to take over from father Anthony Cummings at Leilani Lodge

The immediate fate of the embattled Leilani Lodge now rests in the hands of the Racing NSW after Ed Cummings was approved by the Australian Turf Club to train at his father Anthony’s Royal Randwick stable on an interim basis.

Ed Cummings is hoping to obtain approval from Racing NSW to take over training duties at Randwick’s Leilani Lodge. Picture: Scott Barbour / Racing Photos

The immediate fate of the embattled Leilani Lodge now rests in the hands of Racing NSW after Ed Cummings was approved by the Australian Turf Club to train at his father Anthony’s Royal Randwick stable on an interim basis.

Anthony Cummings was last week informed his trainer’s licence had been rescinded, with the multiple Group 1-winning trainer given seven-days to vacate his inner Sydney base.

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Anthony’s business, Rosscarbery Holdings Pty Ltd, went into liquidation last year. His application for a stay of proceedings to enable him to continue training at Leilani Lodge was on Friday night rejected by the Racing Appeals Tribunal. Anthony has appealed the decision.

Anthony Cummings is fighting for his training career. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images.

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In the interim, Ed – a Group 1-winning trainer in his own right – has been seeking permission to take over at Leilani Lodge while his father continues his legal battle.

And while Ed’s bid was given a boost with the ATC’s endorsement this weekend, he still needs the green light from Racing NSW’s licensing department to resume training at the famous facility.

“They (ATC) have provided me with the recommendation and permission to train from Leilani Lodge,” Ed Cummings said in an update to owners on Sunday.

Trainer Anthony Cummings (centre) with his sons James (left), who trains for Godolphin, and Ed. Picture: Tim Hunter

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“That permission, that note from the acting ATC CEO Steve McMahon has come through today and been forwarded on to the licensing department at Racing NSW.

“The matter is now before them to rubber stamp my upgrade to a metro trainers’ licence with Leilani Lodge to train from.

“That means that provided everything is successful through Racing NSW, as we naturally expect, then no one loses out in this situation and we can continue to be able to train.”

Anthony has about 50 horses in training and the ATC will in the short term allow the horses to be housed at Leilani Lodge.

If Anthony was to win his appeal, he would be able to resume training at Leilani Lodge.

Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick

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It’s understood if Anthony fails to win his appeal then the ATC will open applications to take over Leilani Lodge after the Autumn Carnival at the end of April.

Ed would be able to apply if he receives Racing NSW approval for his training licence.

“That fact that I will be there, there will be no priority given to me,” Cummings said.

“Essentially what that means is we will have the Autumn Carnival to impress all and sundry, including the board at the ATC, that the operations and efforts we have been putting in, especially for the last six months, will hopefully hold us over to maintain the stable in the family name.

“I am certainly confident that we have more than enough horsepower to make a splash in the Autumn Carnival and that will be laser focus and my sole focus for the next two months.

“At this stage it’s a good sign for us and wonderful to receive such support from the ATC.”

Originally published as Edward Cummings hopeful of obtaining interim approval to take over from father Anthony Cummings at Leilani Lodge