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Ray Thomas’ Randwick Inside Mail: Trainer James Cummings says Commemorative will ‘be running very, very well’

Godolphin maestro James Cummings is conservative by nature but he was unusually optimistic about the chances of giant mare Commemorative at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ray Thomas
5 min read
August 23, 2024 - 1:25PM
Punters Previews Randwick for 24-08-24

Godolphin maestro James Cummings is conservative by nature but he was unusually optimistic about the chances of giant mare Commemorative in the Group 3 $250,000 Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

“I think she can win the race,’’ Cummings said of Commemorative’s new season return.

“That three-year-old fillies’ race at Scone (Denise’s Joy Stakes) was a perfect way to end her season.

“She had a little bit more up her sleeve there, but we opted to put her in the paddock and reward the mare so we could have her ready to go in the spring.

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“She finds herself in the Toy Show and, from a timing perspective, I think it’s a good position to be kicking off from and she’ll be running very, very well.”

Interestingly, Commemorative is by champion sire I Am Invincible out of the Godophin mare Memorial, who ran second in the Silver Shadow Stakes at this meeting a decade ago.

• EXPERT TIPS: Professional punter James Molony analyses the 10-race card at Randwick on Saturday

Cummings also has his Oaks-winner Zardozi resuming against a top class field in the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m).

Zardozi is one of eight individual Group 1 winners in the field but such is the quality of her opposition, she is rated only a $34 chance for her comeback race.

Cummings was more guarded when asked to assess Zardozi’s chances in the weight-for-rage race.

“She’s been coming along beautifully, loving her work,’’ he said. “I’ve been pleased with what I’ve seen from that mare as she strives to make the leap from her three-year-old season up into four.

”So far it looks good but this is a deep race, of course. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of the mare she takes a bit of racing to get to her best.”

Cummings also saddles up talented three-year-old fillies Zeitung and Silmarillion in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).

Both Godolphin fillies have race fitness on their side, particularly Zeitung who defeated the smart Bonita Queen first-up and that mare has since romped home at Warwick Farm earlier this week.

“Zeitung just keeps improving and she’s worthy of a little bit of interest in a race like this,’’ he said.

“It’s a big jump, graduating from a midweek at Canterbury to a Group 2 set weights and penalties Silver Shadow and I think we will learn a little bit about her.

“But beating the older mares midweek was a good effort and has to be respected.

“Silmarillion’s first-up run was better than it looked. She’s improved a bit from the run fresh-up and I like the way she’s come on from that first run and expect her to run well.”

• Randwick Turf Talk: Best bet has ‘got a big race in him this Spring’

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RANDWICK BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Smashing Eagle $5-$4.20, Bundeena $6.50-$4.80
Race 2: Kureder $6.50-$4.60, Strathtay $6.50-$5, Awesome Wonder $6.50-$5.50
Race 3: Kreon $2.80-$2.50, Don’t Call Me Honey $8.50-$5.50, Palazzo Prince $8.50-$7
Race 4: West Of Africa $7.50-$4.80, Unusual Legacy $7.50-$4.80, Awash $14-$7.50
Race 5: Eliyass $2.80-$2, Redstone Well $7-$6.50
Race 6: Manaal $3.30-$2.80 with a $2000 bet at $2.80, Ameena $8.50-$5, Erno’s Cube $12-$7.50
Race 7: Joliestar $3.30-$3.20 with a bet of $2000 at $3.20, Our Kobison $3.80-$3.40 after multiple bets of $2000 at $3.40
Race 8: Riff Rocket $15-$6.50, Tropical Squall $11-$8.50, Zougotcha $11-$9
Race 9: Commemorative $4.40-$2.80, The Black Cloud $4-$3.70, Kimochi $13-$8
Race 10: Spring Lee $4.40-$2.90, Panic $5.50-$5

• MARKET MOVERS: Punters single out three in Randwick feature

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EARLY QUADDIE SELECTIONS
Race 3: 7,8,9,16
Race 4: 1,2,12
Race 5: 3,6,7
Race 6: 1,4,9

QUADDIE SELECTIONS
Race 7: 1,6,8,14
Race 8: 6,9,10,11
Race 9: 4,10,11
Race 10: 3,7,9,10

• Randwick Racewatch: Shayne O’Cass’ tips and analysis for Randwick on Saturday

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PRICE CHECK
Riff Rocket (race 8) has been a big firmer for the Winx Stakes. After opening at $15m, he’s into $6.50 second favouritism behind Fangirl at $2.30. Riff Rocket won three Group 1 races last season including the Victoria Derby and ATC Australian Derby but he has the ability to sprint well fresh. He is unbeaten in three first-up runs including his barnstorming win in the Hayes Stakes over 1400m at Flemington when resuming in autumn.

• ‘Absolute machine’: Portelli bullish on stable stars Encap, Kimochi, Kintyre

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TRIAL POINTERS
Semana (race 8) is up against an outstanding field in the Winx Stakes but at $13, she appeals as a value runner. This underrated mare excels at 1400m winning four races (and three seconds) from eight attempts, and she is a multiple Group 1 placegetter including her second behind Bella Nipotina in the Tatt’s Tiara. Semana is resuming but has some residual fitness from her Brisbane winter campaign as she showed with a runaway trial win by nearly four lengths at Warwick Farm last week. Semana can take up a forward position, make her own luck in running and give a great sight.

Commemorative (race 9), a very talented mare from the Godolphin stable, looked sensational in a Warwick Farm barrier trial last week, coming from next to last on the turn, making a wide run and finishing fast into second placing. She was only beaten a half length and her rider Zac Lloyd never put the mare under any pressure.

• ‘Will be a great clash’: J-Mac a big Fan of Winx Stakes favourite

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SECTIONAL STARS
Medatsu (race 4) resumed at Rosehill over 1500m on August 3 and was impressive, sustaining a long run to score with authority. He ran his final 600m in 33.24s, the best of the day. He’s only getting to 1600m second-up but should still have sufficient speed in his legs with the three weeks between runs. Hard to beat again.

Spring Lee (race 10) was in an awkward position back in the field on the rail coming into the straight then had to change course a couple of times before storming through the field to finish a close second at Rosehill earlier this month. Spring Lee ran her final 600m in 33.75s despite her momentum being interrupted at vital stages in the straight. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare was terrific first-up and looks hard to beat in the Randwick closer.

• Pride sees silver lining in The Black Cloud

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BEST BET
Eliyass (race 5) has firmed into $2 favouritism for the Premier’s Cup and although he is short enough now, he does look the winner. Promising former French galloper who was a stakeswinner overseas before his Australian debut when he toyed with his rivals in the Lord Mayor’s Cup over 2000m at Randwick back in June. Eliyass, winner of seven races (and two second placings) from nine attempts, has trialled nicely twice in the lead-up to this race. Talented stayer destined for better races this spring.

• How Asfoora’s Royal Ascot triumph stopped a village in Lebanon

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VALUE
Futtaim (race 2) is worth a gamble in an open race. He had to do a bit of work early to settle outside the leader and then stuck on well when fourth to Awesome Wonder over the Randwick 2400m course last start. They are clashing again here but Futtaim meets that mare 5.5kg better at the weights. Futtaim is racing well and is a good each way gamble at double figure odds.

Originally published as Ray Thomas’ Randwick Inside Mail: Trainer James Cummings says Commemorative will ‘be running very, very well’

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/tips/ray-thomas-randwick-inside-mail-trainer-james-cummings-says-commemorative-will-be-running-very-very-well/news-story/6f089b000393ddb05ba2cbc13ac3c95b