Trainer James Cummings is looking forward to seeing Trekking produce the potential he showed in his two year old season when he resumes in the Listed $150,000 Smithfield RSL Club Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Brenton Avdulla, above, will ride Trekking in the Rosebud at Rosehill. Photo by Taron Clarke.
Trekking scored on debut in a 1100m two year old Plate at Rosehill on December 3 last year and then after a short break ran second to Trapeze Artist in the Group 3 $300,000 Mercedes-Benz Canberra Black Opal Stakes (1200m) at Canberra on March 5.
That run at Canberra was good enough for Trekking to gain a spot in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill but the sharp step up in class was too much too quick for the Street Cry colt who was never in contention and finished in twelfth position behind the Gary Portelli trained She Will Reign.
Newly appointed Godolphin head trainer James Cummings reflects that Trekking was probably not ready for a tough run in the Golden Slipper but believes he is now mature enough to realise his potential that he showed as a juvenile.
“He showed nice, raw ability as a two-year-old and I loved the look of him in his first barrier trial,” Cummings said.
“We always liked him and he ended up being a Golden Slipper runner, but that race came a bit soon for him.”
“He went nicely winning a barrier trial last month and he had a strong gallop in between races at Canterbury last week with another nice colt, Ataraxia.
“It was a good, strong gallop and it really tightened him up.”
Cummings has given Trekking one official barrier trial for a two and three quarter lengths win over 735m at Randwick on July 24 and expects a forward showing from the colt.
Trekking has drawn nicely at barrier two in the eight horse Rosebud field and will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla who was aboard the colt when he ran second in the Black Opal Stakes.
Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Rosebud has the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Siege Of Quebec and Gerald Ryan’s Menari sharing favourtism at $2.90 with Trekking next in the market order at $5.50.
