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The Last Say: Trainer James Cummings plots Golden sign-off on 2025 Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm

Tips, inside mail, market movers and the latest track conditions … Ray Thomas gives you all the information you need to back a winner on Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm, plus racing at Rosehill, Sandown and more.

Ray Thomas
8 min read
June 14, 2025 - 7:38AM

In the same week he has accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong, James Cummings can secure a farewell Group 1 win for the Godolphin stable with comeback galloper Golden Mile in today’s $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm.

Cummings, who will take a break from training at the end of his Godolphin tenure on July 31 before moving to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, has Golden Mile back in Group 1 form just in time for the Stradbroke.

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Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner, was returned to training after a failed stud career and has slowly improved with racing this year including his narrow loss in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup last start when he finished the closest of thirds to the outstanding mare Joliestar.

The Godolphin galloper drops from 59kg to 53.5kg and has the tactical speed to take full advantage of barrier two. He has firmed to $8.50 in latest Stradbroke betting behind $3.20 favourite War Machine.

• EXPERT TIPS: Graeme Carey’s best bets, race-by-race analysis and quaddie picks for Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm

Cummings, who has trained 48 Group 1 winners for Godolphin since joining them in 2017, also has Zebra Finch in the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m).

Zebra Finch, a last-start Rosehill winner, is at $14 behind local star Cool Archie, the $3.60 favourite.

The nine-race Eagle Farm Stradbroke meeting is an outstanding program boasting two Group 1 races, three at Group 2 level, a Group 3 and three Listed races.

• JJ Atkins tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

At Rosehill Gardens, the feature race is the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) in which the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Bear On The Loose is the $3.60 favourite, shading Don Diego De Vega at $3.70.

The Sandown meeting in Melbourne doesn’t have a stakes race but it does have the best-backed runner anywhere in the nation today, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone in the Celebration Classic (1600m).

Roadcone, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins, has firmed from $2.80 to $2.50 after some big bets with Ladbrokes including $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, and $2000 at $2.60.

• Stradbroke Handicap tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

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TRACK CONDITIONS

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two in the morning and a forecast top temperature of 17c.
Track: Soft (5).
Rail: 3m out.

EAGLE FARM
Weather: Mild, mostly sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 21c.
Track: Good (4).
Rail: 4m out.

SANDOWN-HILLSIDE
Weather: Cold, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two and a forecast top temperature of 13c.
Track: Soft (5).
Rail: 6m out.

MURRAY BRIDGE
Weather: Cool, cloudy day with the high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 17c.
Track: Soft (6).
Rail: 5m out.

• Stradbroke defence much closer to home for Bjorn Baker

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BE WARY

Rosehill Gardens has had less than 2mm of rainfall in the last seven days and the track has improved to a soft 5. The rail was in the true position at the most recent Rosehill meeting two weeks ago but the 3m out placement is generally regarded as the fairest, particularly if the track is near the good range. This is the third successive Saturday meeting at Eagle Farm although the May 31 raceday was called off after five races. The rail has been shifted to 4m out after being 2m out last week. The Eagle Farm track is back in the good range for Stradbroke Day and the drier track should provide a fair racing surface. Sandown is rated a soft (5) with the chance of an upgrade later in the day.

• EXPERT TIPS: Brad Waters’ best bets, quaddie picks and race-by-race analysis for Sandown-Hillside on Saturday

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ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS

BEST BET: CODETTA (Race 5 No.2) resumed at Rosehill two weeks ago and had the “flashing light” on her with a fast-finishing second behind King’s Secret. Codetta didn’t have a lot of galloping room in the straight but still sprinted her final 600m in 34.07s with a closing 200m split of 11.45s to finish second. Both sectionals were the best of the day. The Chris Waller-trained Codetta is protecting a perfect second-up record – two wins from two attempts – and she meets King’s Secret better at the weights.

THE NEXT BEST: MICKEY’S MEDAL (Race 6 No.5) was never on the track last start, racing three wide without cover and did a super job to hold off Hopper and win well over this course and distance two weeks ago. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding has only missed a place once in six starts this campaign and his Rosehill win was a reward for his consistency. Mickey’s Medal is perfectly drawn here, excels over the track and distance and the drier surface is also in his favour. He ticks all the boxes.

VALUE BET: HELLBENT ON YOU (Race 10 No.6) had won twice in four attempts this campaign including a fast-finishing effort to score at Kensington before she struggled in very heavy conditions when fourth to Miss Kim Kar at Randwick last start. Although she never stopped trying, the mare was clearly not at her best in the going that day and will appreciate getting back onto a firmer track (soft 5) at Rosehill. She’s good each way value at $13.

THE WHISPER: TOURISTIC (Race 8 No.3), a son of English superhorse Frankel, scored his best Australian win when raced clear of rivals to easily win the Lord Mayor’s Cup over 2000m at Rosehill two weeks ago. It was a timely return to form for the Peter Snowden-trained stayer and although he has never won beyond 2000m, he was runner-up in the Grafton Cup over 2350m behind a subsequent Group 1 winner, Deny Knowledge, last year. He’s effective on all tracks surfaces but the soft 5 surface is ideal. The one to beat in the Winter Cup.

• EXPERT TIPS: Clinton Payne’s race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday

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EAGLE FARM TIPS

BEST BET: NEED SOME LUCK (Race 5 No.7), also from the Snowden stable, gets his chance to score an overdue win at stakes level in the Hinkler Handicap. A half-brother to world champion sprinter Chautauqua, Need Some Luck has considerable talent but has done things wrong in his races which has been costly. However, he improved with racing and is building an impressive record with five wins and six placings from 12 starts. He endured a tough, wide run at Randwick first-up and still found a way to win then struck a very heavy track at the Gold Coast and ran well for second at Listed level. He’s had a month between runs, looks sharp in a recent Randwick barrier trial and he’s does look very hard to beat.

NEXT BEST: COOL ARCHIE (Race 6 No.1) just keeps winning. He’s unbeaten in four starts this preparation including the Listed Dalrello Stakes before successive Group 2 wins in the Champagne Classic and BRC Sires Produce Stakes. His most recent wins have been on heavy tracks and he was particularly impressive in the Sires when he powered clear of his rivals to win dominantly over 1400m. Cool Archie isn’t just a wet-tracker as he showed in the Dalrello earlier this campaign. The 1600m of the JJ Atkins is a query but it is for most of his rivals, too. Stick with Cool Archie.

VALUE BET: GOLDEN MILE (Race 8 No.6) could score a remarkable Group 1 comeback win in the Stradbroke Handicap. He had a failed stud career last spring but has been slowly working his way back to form this campaign. He produced a terrific Stradbroke Handicap lead-up when narrowly beaten by the outstanding Joliestar in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup two weeks ago. Golden Mile carried weight-for-age of 59kg that day and drops to 53.5kg, he’s drawn to get all the favours and is at each way odds.

THE WHISPER: FAWKNER PARK (Race 9 No.1) doesn’t have to worry about the rampant Antino in the Q22. Fawkner Park has chased home Antino in both the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup, finishing second albeit some four lengths behind the winner who has since been spelled. Fawkner Park romped home in the Q22 last year and is poised for a repeat success.

• BIG BETS: Punters back 2YO to win $94,500

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TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Race 1: Crusader Voyage $6-$4.40, Namaste $8-$5.50, Scoop The Pool $11-$7
Race 2: Super Norwest $6-$5, Salute Again $8-$6, Hell Of A Fox $15-$7.50
Race 3: Let’s Go Again $8-$6.50, Silentstar $11-$7, African Daisy $26-$11
Race 4: Hopper $8-$4.40, Hell To Pay $6-$4.60, Tasoraay $8-$4.80
Race 5: Codetta $4.40-$3.30, King’s Secret $8-$5.50
Race 6: Mickey’s Medal $8-$4.40, Little Cointreau $6-$4.80, Chica Mojito $15-$6
Race 7: Snack Bar $6-$3.80, Getafix $11-$6.50
Race 8: Bear On The Loose $4-$3.60, Don Diego De Vega $4-$3.70, Touristic $6-$4.40
Race 9: Half Yours $4.40-$3.60 with a bet of $3500 at $4, Cormac $8-$6.50, Assailant $8-$6.50, Misterkipchoge $11-$7
Race 10: Sacred Rocks $4.60-$3

• LAURIE’S LONGSHOTS: Laurie Sainsbury’s $10 value play on improving import

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LADBROKE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

ROSEHILL GARDENS
Race 1: Namaste $8.50-$6 with a bet of $310 a $7.50, Scoop The Pool $11-$6.50 with bets of $235 at $9.50, $500 at $
Race 2: Pharoahzano $27-$14
Race 3: Monte Kate $10-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10), Let’s Go Again $8-$7 after a $285 wager at $8, Il Passero $21-$11
Race 4: Don’t Forget Jack $18-$9 with a bet of $120 at $18, Hopper $8.50-$4.20 after a bet of $1440 at $5.50, Oui Oui Oui $7.50-$6.50 after a $1,000 bet at $7.75
Race 5: King’s Secret $7-$5.50, Stagnum $12-$9
Race 6: Chica Mojito $14-$7, Little Cointreau $6.50-$4.50 with a bet of $365 at $6.50
Race 7: Unstopabull firm at $6.50 after a bet of $500 w/p at $6.50/$2.35, Crafty Eagle $31-$19, Getafix $9-$6.50 after a bet of $265 at $8.50), Snack Bar $4.80-$3.80 with a bet of $588 at $4.40
Race 8: Touristic $5.50-$4.20 with a bet of $400 a $5.50, Steel Blaze $71-$35, Don Diego De Vega $3.50-$4.15-$3.90 including a bet of $1,000 at $4.15
Race 9: Good Prize $23-$14, Quantum Cat $17-$9.50, Kind Words $15-$9, Misterkipchoge $8.50-$9.50-$8.50 with a bet of $235 at $8.50
Race 10: Gently Rolled $46-$21, Totoka $16-$12 with a bet of $200 at $14.50

EAGLE FARM
Race 1: Just Party $3.70-$3.20 with a bet of $800 at $3.50, $871 and $800 at $3.30
Race 2: Unspoken $12-$7.50 with a bet of $180 at $12
Race 3: Etna Rosso $4-$2.80 after a bet of $670 at $4), Dillian $2000 w/p at $14/$3.30
Race 4: Quietly Arrogant $4.40-$3.80 with a $600 bet at $4.4, Damien bets of $1600, $1500 and $570 but stays at $5.50
Race 5: Need Some Luck $2.80-$2.50 has been well backed with bets of $2375 at $2.75, $1180 at $2.70, $500 at $2.60, I Am Artie $17-$11 after a bet of $125 at $17
Race 6: Cool Archie $4.20-$3.80 with bets of $1000 and $750 at $4.15, $5000 at $4.05, $7500 place only at $1.70), Torque To Be Sure $21-$19 after a bet of $500 at $19), Navy Pilot $26-$8, Providence $51-$9.50
Race 7: Firestorm $5-$4.40 with bets of $500 at $5, $1000 at $4.60, $500 at $4.40, City Of Lights $7-$10-$6.50, El Morzillo $16-$20-$13
Race 8: Golden Mile $12-$8, War Machine $2.80-$3.30 despite some big bets including $1000 at $3.40 three times, $1000 at $3.20, $5000, $1500, $1000 and $710 at $3.10, The Instructor $26-$15
Race 9: New Endeavour $5.50-$3.90 with a bet of $500 at $5

SANDOWN-HILLSIDE

Race 1: Hello Romeo $12-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10, Ocean Spirit $7.50-$4 after a bet of $500 at $, Yolo $4-$3.60 after bets of $690 at $3.90, $500 at $3.65, Victory Tune $365 at $12
Race 2: Terilee with bets of $500 at $3, $500 at $2.90 twice, Two Sigma $101-$71 after a bet of $500 w/p at $101/$14
Race 3: Supernima $10-$7.50 after a bet of $222 at $10, Whateley $800 at $5.50, Ahha Ahha $2.60-$2.90-$2.70 with bets of $500 at $2.95, $500 at $2.80, $1,180 and $666 at $2.70), Nimbustwothousand $17-$9.50 after a bet of $135 at $16
Race 4: Dirty Grin $3.40-$3.70-$3.30 including a bet of $500 at $3.75
Race 5: Trial By Press $18-$15, Blistering $26-$19, Lady Papygate $18-$11, Our Red Morning $61-$35
Race 6: Roadcone (best backed runner in Australia) with consistent support firming from $2.80 to $2.50 after bets of $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, $2000 at $2.60, Nation’s Call with a bet of $888 at $10
Race 7: Saban $5-$3.80 after a bet of $500 at $5, Sayedaty Sadaty $9-$5.50 with a bet of $310 at $7.50
Race 8: Talbragar $13-$9.50 after a bet of $165 a $13, Along The River $14-$11
Race 9: Munhamek $31-$19, The Astrologist $46-$27, The Open $7.50-$6

• Ray & Duff’s best bets for Saturday: ‘First-up run was hard to miss’

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INTERSTATE MAIL

Sandown-Hillside Race 5 No.2 EXTREME VIRTUE
Sandown-Hillside Race 6 No.5 ROADCONE
Sandown-Hillside Race 9 No.15 THE OPEN
Murray Bridge Race 6 No.8 ZARKANA
Murray Bridge Race 8 No.10 SYNCHRO

• Murray Bridge, Bunbury expert tips: $7 chance should be ‘half the price’

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PROVINCIAL MAIL
Newcastle Race 7 No.2 QUEEN’S RHAPSODY

#Good luck today and I hope you back plenty of winners.

Originally published as The Last Say: Trainer James Cummings plots Golden sign-off on 2025 Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/racing/the-last-say-trainer-james-cummings-plots-golden-signoff-on-2025-stradbroke-handicap-day-at-eagle-farm/news-story/0ed9e527118d1ab653fce2c594aabeb1