James Cummings duo Chergui, Beiwacht primed for race ‘that’s a little bit of a mystery’

Godolphin trainer James Cummings maintains there is little separating his two-year-old colts Chergui and Beiwacht who clash in the Listed $200,000 Darley Lonhro Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The James Cummings-trained Chergui will contest the Listed Lonhro Plate at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Godolphin trainer James Cummings maintains there is little separating his two-year-old colts Chergui and Beiwacht who clash in the Listed $200,000 Darley Lonhro Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“Chergui (barrier four) and Beiwacht (one) have the ideal draws from the 1000m start for them to run their best races,’’ Cummings said.

“They are both training like equally good chances heading into a race that is a little bit of a mystery with so many debutants.’’

Chergui, a half-brother to Group 1 winners Alizee and Astern, ran second on debut behind boom colt Pallaton in December while Beiwacht was unplaced at his first start behind Open Secret two weeks ago.

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Cummings said both colts would improve off their debut efforts.

“Chergui has trained on well and is a tiny bit more forward than he was from his first start,’’ Cummings said. “He is ready to run a race.

“Beiwacht can turn it around from two weeks ago because nothing went right for him that day. He can run a vastly improved race with better tactical fortune.’’

That's a BIG win to Pallaton at Randwick! 🙌@MFreedmanRacing | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_club | @CoolmoreAuspic.twitter.com/txZneOdLTi

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 21, 2024

• Gai’s Golden call: ‘This colt will win the Slipper’

At Caulfield, the brilliant Cummings-trained juvenile colt Aleppo Pine is striving to maintain his unbeaten record in the Group 3 $350,000 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m).

“Aleppo Pine can’t help but run very well,’’ Cummings said. “He is perfectly prepared to be forward and attacking the line which will set him up for the Blue Diamond (February 22).

“They take a bit of winning these Preludes, even Anamoe just missed, but this colt will acquit himself very nicely.’’

Cummings is also expecting a competitive debut from Pazyryk in the Racing And Sports Plate (1100m) at Canterbury on Friday night.

“There is a lot to like about Pazyryk, a filly by Lonhro out of a Street Cry mare,’’ Cummings said. “She has some style about her and has improved with every trial.

“But there are a number of nicely-bred fillies who are trialling well. I think other trainers had the same idea of taking their horse to Canterbury before going to something stronger.

“I would say look out for the form out of this race so I would love to see Pazyryk acquit herself well, she has something about her.’’

Originally published as James Cummings duo Chergui, Beiwacht primed for race ‘that’s a little bit of a mystery’