James Cummings’ Blue Army, headlined by Zardozi and Aft Cabin, to charge into Spring at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Godolphin maestro James Cummings will learn more about his stable’s chances of winning two Spring majors when Zardozi and Aft Cabin step out at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Godolphin maestro James Cummings will learn more about his stable’s chances of winning The Everest and Melbourne Cup at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Aft Cabin, the “Blue Army’s” forgotten sprinter, is looming as a knockout chance in a star-studded Group 3 $1 million Concorde Stakes (1000m).

And Zardozi is set to confirm she has made the sometimes difficult transition from a successful classic season to a genuine big-race contender as a spring four-year-old in the Group 2 $300,000 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m).

• Clinton Payne’s tips, preview for Randwick on Saturday: $6.50 and $7 best bets

Godolphin has a slot in the $20 million The Everest next month with Cummings admitting the stable was still sorting through their sprinters to find right contender for the world’s richest turf race.

“We are not really strong there for The Everest yet but things can change quickly,’’ Cummings said.

“It’s wasn’t so long ago that a freshly-gelded Vilana started favourite in a Stradbroke Handicap.

“I wonder if Aft Cabin, having been recently gelded, could make that vast improvement at the same race.

“Do I expect him to start favourite in an Everest? No, that is not what I am saying but put it this way, he is a chance to be very competitive in the Concorde first-up.

“It will be a ‘hot’ race with the former Everest winner Giga Kick in the field but if Aft Cabin can run a race against those horses, if he keeps measuring up and keeps improving, gets some confidence back and builds some form before The Everest, then he’s a chance to make the race.’’

Easy work for @godolphin's Aft Cabin as he wins his second trial since being gelded, scoring under @ZacLloydx over Impulsivity and Coastwatch in a 900m heat at Rosehill on Tuesday. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/guye5796Ew

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 19, 2024

• Saturday Market Movers: Last-start winner back from $12 into $5

Aft Cabin was once the “next big thing” in the Godolphin sprinting ranks but lost his way a little last season before the decision was made to geld him before his five-year-old season.

The early signs are promising with Aft Cabin showing renewed enthusiasm with two brilliant barrier trial wins in recent weeks.

Punters have taken notice with Aft Cabin firming from $11 to $6.50 with TAB Fixed Odds for the Concorde behind Giga Kick, the $2.70 favourite.

In the Chelmsford Stakes, Zardozi is out to prove she is not one of those talented Derby or Oaks-winning three-year-olds who tend to struggle at weight-for-age during the spring of their four-year-seasons.

Cummings felt there was evidence from Zardozi’s first-up sixth to Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes to suggest she was going to be a major player this spring carnival.

Via Sistina wins the Winx Stakes! She's in for a MASSIVE Spring 🔥 @[e-mail]/WNpMfXcEAj

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

• Concorde flyers set to shatter Randwick course record

“I think Zardozi has made the transition based on her effort in the Winx Stakes, she returned in excellent fashion,’’ Cummings said.

“The winner, Via Sistina, followed us in the run then Zardozi had to push her way through the middle but was only two-and-a-half lengths behind her at the finish.

“That’s as good as she has performed first-up ever which augurs well for her being a winning chance second-up like last preparation.’’

Zardozi has won twice from three second-up attempts including her brilliant effort to win the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes last autumn.

Zardozi gives @JamesCummings88 a race-to-race double, winning the G2 Phar Lap Stakes with @TomMarquand in the saddle!@[e-mail]/vJX8EMFS3O

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 16, 2024

TAB Fixed Odds price assessors are taking no chances with Zardozi in the Chelmsford rating the Godolphin mare the dominant $2.15 favourite.

“We are delighted with how she has come up and she will keep improving the deeper she goes into the spring,’’ Cummings said.

“The fork in the road is the Chelmsford then the weights come out for the Epsom Handicap and the Caulfield Cup and we will be further down the track where we go with her.’’

Zardozi was bred in England to southern hemisphere time by super sire Kingman out of the Dubawi mare Chanderi.

“There is a bit of depth in her pedigree as far as staying bloodlines go,’’ he said. “She won the VRC Oaks so well and then was just beaten late in the ATC Oaks. She has the potential to be a very good stayer for us.

“She has the potential to be a Melbourne Cup horse, if not this year then next year. She is in the conversation for that race.’’

It’s Group 1 glory for James Cummings and their star three-year-old filly ZARDOZI!

Congratulations for an awesome display to take out the 2023 Kennedy Oaks.

📽 @10SportAU | #OaksDaypic.twitter.com/ar9Pu4rXOp

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 9, 2023

• Ray & Duff’s tips, analysis for Randwick on Saturday: $9 value play

At The Valley, Cummings is chasing a sentimental win with Pericles in the $200,000 So You Think Stakes (1500m).

Cummings was working with his late grandfather, the legendary Bart Cummings, when champion So You Think was in his prime, winning the 2009 and 2010 Cox Plates.

“So You Think was a gentle giant who had an incredible presence about him,’’ James Cummings said.

“From day one in a 740m barrier trial where a horse by High Chaparral shouldn’t be showing up, he was suggesting he had a serious ‘motor’.’’

So You Think was only a three-year-old when he won his first Cox Plate at just his fifth career start, then he returned the next year to defend his title.

“When he won his second Cox Plate, he had to win two races in one – he had to win the ‘More Joyous Stakes’ first and then beat the rest of the field,’’ Cummings recalled.

“So You Think eventually won 10 Group 1 races, five here and five in the northern hemisphere which shows what depth he had.’’

Pericles won’t ever match So You Think’s racetrack feats but he’s a talented galloper and is the $2.20 favourite to win the race named in the former champion’s honour.

“We have targeted the very winnable So You Think Stakes with Pericles, he will take some holding out,’’ Cummings said.

“He has a tendency to improve vastly second-up and hold that form. He will return to Sydney for the spring but we haven’t decided when just yet.’’

Originally published as James Cummings’ Blue Army, headlined by Zardozi and Aft Cabin, to charge into Spring at Royal Randwick on Saturday