Godolphin trainer James Cummings is again relying on a reigning Caulfield Guineas winner to take out the first Group 1 race of the new season in the $1m Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Golden Mile gives Cummings a real opportunity of going back-to-back in the feature Randwick weight-for-age race after the trainer was successful with champion Anamoe last year.
Anamoe has subsequently been retired to stand at Darley Stud this spring but he shares something in common with Golden Mile as both won the Caulfield Guineas in their classic seasons.
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There are 13 individual Group 1 winners in the star-studded 16-horse Winx Stakes field but Golden Mile is the only horse to have had a lead-up run – if you can call it that.
Golden Mile resumed in the Missile Stakes at Rosehill two weeks ago but after appearing to be travelling well within himself following leader and eventual winner I Am Me into the straight, he struck severe interference and was lucky not to fall when Big Parade tragically broke down.
Cummings said Golden Mile, who was eased out of the race and officially ran ninth at Rosehill, took no harm from the incident.
“I think Golden Mile is ready to deliver some sort of a blow,’’ Cummings said.
Golden Mile, who has drawn well in barrier two, looks value odds at $12 for the Winx Stakes where Zaaki is the $4.20 favourite.
Cummings is chasing a hat-trick of stakes wins at Randwick as either side of the Winx Stakes he has Parisal ($3.70 favourite) for the Group 3 $250,000 Toy Show Quality (1100m) and unbeaten filly Zardozi ($8.50) and stablemate Inhibitions in the Group 2 $300,000 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m).
At Caulfield, Cummings has brilliant colt Cylinder, winner of the Silver Slipper and Todman Stakes before his second to Shinzo in the Golden Slipper last autumn, ready to resume racing in the Group 3 $200,000 Vain Stakes (1100m).
Bookies are taking no chances with Cylinder who has opened as a dominant $1.70 favourite amid growing speculation there is slot-holder interest in the three-year-old for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 14.
Meanwhile, Cummings confirmed last Saturday’s impressive Rosehill winner Pericles is likely to be set for the Group 1 $1.5m Epsom Handicap and $10 million Golden Eagle this spring.
“Pericles will be nominated for the Epsom, that is the first port of call for him,’’ Cummings said.
“If he is measuring up in an Epsom then I would be very, very interested in a Golden Eagle.’’
Originally published as Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile aiming to emulate Anamoe in Winx Stakes
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