Trainer James Cummings is confident that Eurozone will receive a lovely run from barrier four in the 2014 Randwick Guineas in Sydney this weekend.
James Cummings is confident that Eurozone can return to his best form in the 2014 Randwick Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Glen Boss has been booked to ride Eurozone in the Group 1 event and Cummings told Sky Racing HQ that the leading Melbourne jockey is delighted with where he believes he can position the son of Northern Meteor in the early stages of the Randwick Guineas.
“Bossy will give him a beautiful ride from barrier four,” Cummings said.
“We have spoken briefly since the draw and he is really excited about where he feels he can have the horse and the sort of chance he can give him.
“He will be soft and well held together early and the horse will have every opportunity to run out a mile.”
Eurozone returned to the races with a narrow second place finish behind Moment Of Change in the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 8 and was well-backed in the lead-up to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 1, but faded in the final stages of the race to finish fourth.
Cummings admits that the jury is still out over whether Eurozone is capable of running a strong mile, but believes that a Randwick Guineas victory would set the colt up for a big 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.
“The horse deserves the benefit of the doubt to prove to his owners that he win over a mile and it would be pretty exciting if he can get it done,” Cummings said.
“He would go forward into the Carnival and there are other options there for him.”
The Cummings team only has two runners at Randwick on Saturday; with lightly-raced filly Shamalia set to contest the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m).
Shamalia started her racing career with two starts wins at Randwick and was far from disgraced when fifth behind Spirits Dancer in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 8.
Cummings said that he has been happy with the trackwork form of the Shamardal filly leading up to the Fireball Stakes this weekend and Cummings is hoping that she can be competitive against the strong field in the Listed event.
“I am very happy with her,” Cummings said.
“She really put in a good gallop last week against Brook Road on the Kenso track.
“That just indicated to us that we could get away with running her without a trial.
“I couldn’t help but think that is a really strong Fireball compared to other years and there is quite a few horses going there first-up that have trialed well.
“I think that our horse is going to run a good race and if she can run on and be competitive against these horses that is going to say a lot about her.”
James Cummings is still chasing his first Group 1 victory since he formed a training partnership with Grandfather Bart Cummings at the start of the 2013/2014 racing season.
