Cummings backs Golden Mile to challenge for farewell Godolphin group 1
On the quick back-up from the biggest decision of his career, James Cummings is confident Golden Mile can handle a short turnaround and push to give him a final group 1 win as head trainer of Godolphin Australia on Saturday in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Already set to end his eight-year tenure at Godolphin on July 31, Cummings announced on Wednesday at a press conference in Sha Tin that he had accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong from September next year and he was having next season off to refresh and prepare for the move.
The life-changing decision came as he tries to score a final elite-level win with Godolphin, who look unlikely to have a contender for the last group 1 of the season, the Tatts Tiara on June 28.
That leaves the Stradbroke and JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday at Eagle Farm as perhaps the last opportunities as a farewell major for Cummings, who has landed 52 group 1s.
Last Saturday, Golden Mile was a brave third in a thrilling finish to the group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). After working early to sit outside leader Zarastro, Golden Mile looked to have edged ahead late before Joliestar swooped to nab a resurgent Zarastro in a photo finish, with Golden Mile close behind.
In the other group 1s, Pinito fell just short of You Wahng in the Queensland Oaks and Lavalier was one and a half lengths back in fourth in the Derby.
Cummings felt Golden Mile, which returned to racing this season after his stud career was ended by injury after covering just 14 mares, could be in the finish again. He was a $9 Sportsbet chance from gate two with Jason Collett aboard again.
'In the midst of all this going on, we've been focusing on training horses,' Cummings said.
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News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
The Last Say: Trainer James Cummings plots Golden sign-off on 2025 Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm
In the same week he has accepted an offer to train in Hong Kong, James Cummings can secure a farewell Group 1 win for the Godolphin stable with comeback galloper Golden Mile in today's $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Cummings, who will take a break from training at the end of his Godolphin tenure on July 31 before moving to Hong Kong for the 2026-27 season, has Golden Mile back in Group 1 form just in time for the Stradbroke. Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner, was returned to training after a failed stud career and has slowly improved with racing this year including his narrow loss in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup last start when he finished the closest of thirds to the outstanding mare Joliestar. The Godolphin galloper drops from 59kg to 53.5kg and has the tactical speed to take full advantage of barrier two. He has firmed to $8.50 in latest Stradbroke betting behind $3.20 favourite War Machine. Cummings, who has trained 48 Group 1 winners for Godolphin since joining them in 2017, also has Zebra Finch in the Group 1 $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m). Zebra Finch, a last-start Rosehill winner, is at $14 behind local star Cool Archie, the $3.60 favourite. The nine-race Eagle Farm Stradbroke meeting is an outstanding program boasting two Group 1 races, three at Group 2 level, a Group 3 and three Listed races. At Rosehill Gardens, the feature race is the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) in which the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott -trained Bear On The Loose is the $3.60 favourite, shading Don Diego De Vega at $3.70. The Sandown meeting in Melbourne doesn't have a stakes race but it does have the best-backed runner anywhere in the nation today, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone in the Celebration Classic (1600m). Roadcone, who is chasing a hat-trick of wins, has firmed from $2.80 to $2.50 after some big bets with Ladbrokes including $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, and $2000 at $2.60. â– â– â– â– â– TRACK CONDITIONS ROSEHILL GARDENS Weather: Cool, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two in the morning and a forecast top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 3m out. EAGLE FARM Weather: Mild, mostly sunny day with light winds and a forecast top temperature of 21c. Track: Good (4). Rail: 4m out. SANDOWN-HILLSIDE Weather: Cold, partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower or two and a forecast top temperature of 13c. Track: Soft (5). Rail: 6m out. MURRAY BRIDGE Weather: Cool, cloudy day with the high chance of showers and a forecast top temperature of 17c. Track: Soft (6). Rail: 5m out. Trainer @BBakerRacing gave @bendorries76 the lowdown on Robusto's Stradbroke chances at the Straddie calcutta in Brisbane today ... and he also gave a big tip for one of his runners at Rosehill Gardens. — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– BE WARY Rosehill Gardens has had less than 2mm of rainfall in the last seven days and the track has improved to a soft 5. The rail was in the true position at the most recent Rosehill meeting two weeks ago but the 3m out placement is generally regarded as the fairest, particularly if the track is near the good range. This is the third successive Saturday meeting at Eagle Farm although the May 31 raceday was called off after five races. The rail has been shifted to 4m out after being 2m out last week. The Eagle Farm track is back in the good range for Stradbroke Day and the drier track should provide a fair racing surface. Sandown is rated a soft (5) with the chance of an upgrade later in the day. Trent Quinn gives us his best bet in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap this Saturday at Eagle Farm! ✅ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– ROSEHILL GARDENS TIPS BEST BET: CODETTA (Race 5 No.2) resumed at Rosehill two weeks ago and had the 'flashing light' on her with a fast-finishing second behind King's Secret. Codetta didn't have a lot of galloping room in the straight but still sprinted her final 600m in 34.07s with a closing 200m split of 11.45s to finish second. Both sectionals were the best of the day. The Chris Waller-trained Codetta is protecting a perfect second-up record – two wins from two attempts – and she meets King's Secret better at the weights. It's no secret that King's Secret has a bright future! ðŸ'' He wins at Rosehill for @PrideRacing and Andrew Adkins! @aus_turf_club | @ProvenTbreds — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 THE NEXT BEST: MICKEY'S MEDAL (Race 6 No.5) was never on the track last start, racing three wide without cover and did a super job to hold off Hopper and win well over this course and distance two weeks ago. The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained gelding has only missed a place once in six starts this campaign and his Rosehill win was a reward for his consistency. Mickey's Medal is perfectly drawn here, excels over the track and distance and the drier surface is also in his favour. He ticks all the boxes. Oh Mickey, you're so fine! It's Mickey's Medal for the win at Rosehill! 🥇 @NockBraith | @ANeashamRacing | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 VALUE BET: HELLBENT ON YOU (Race 10 No.6) had won twice in four attempts this campaign including a fast-finishing effort to score at Kensington before she struggled in very heavy conditions when fourth to Miss Kim Kar at Randwick last start. Although she never stopped trying, the mare was clearly not at her best in the going that day and will appreciate getting back onto a firmer track (soft 5) at Rosehill. She's good each way value at $13. Be honest... who had given up on Hellbent On You before she snuck through to win with @mcacajamez in the saddle for @JTRacingRwik?! That's a win and a half ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 14, 2025 THE WHISPER: TOURISTIC (Race 8 No.3), a son of English superhorse Frankel, scored his best Australian win when raced clear of rivals to easily win the Lord Mayor's Cup over 2000m at Rosehill two weeks ago. It was a timely return to form for the Peter Snowden-trained stayer and although he has never won beyond 2000m, he was runner-up in the Grafton Cup over 2350m behind a subsequent Group 1 winner, Deny Knowledge, last year. He's effective on all tracks surfaces but the soft 5 surface is ideal. The one to beat in the Winter Cup. See the sights! Touristic wins the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill, and that's a double to Andy Adkins today! 🙌 ðŸ�† @SnowdenRacing1 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– EAGLE FARM TIPS BEST BET: NEED SOME LUCK (Race 5 No.7), also from the Snowden stable, gets his chance to score an overdue win at stakes level in the Hinkler Handicap. A half-brother to world champion sprinter Chautauqua, Need Some Luck has considerable talent but has done things wrong in his races which has been costly. However, he improved with racing and is building an impressive record with five wins and six placings from 12 starts. He endured a tough, wide run at Randwick first-up and still found a way to win then struck a very heavy track at the Gold Coast and ran well for second at Listed level. He's had a month between runs, looks sharp in a recent Randwick barrier trial and he's does look very hard to beat. ðŸ�€ That's three wins in a row to Need Some Luck, who wins first up at Randwick! @SnowdenRacing1 | @TommyBerry21 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 NEXT BEST: COOL ARCHIE (Race 6 No.1) just keeps winning. He's unbeaten in four starts this preparation including the Listed Dalrello Stakes before successive Group 2 wins in the Champagne Classic and BRC Sires Produce Stakes. His most recent wins have been on heavy tracks and he was particularly impressive in the Sires when he powered clear of his rivals to win dominantly over 1400m. Cool Archie isn't just a wet-tracker as he showed in the Dalrello earlier this campaign. The 1600m of the JJ Atkins is a query but it is for most of his rivals, too. Stick with Cool Archie. A barnstorming win by Cool Archie in the G2 BRC Sires' Produce Stakes, and that's four in a row to the @munceracing galloper! 🙌 @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025 VALUE BET: GOLDEN MILE (Race 8 No.6) could score a remarkable Group 1 comeback win in the Stradbroke Handicap. He had a failed stud career last spring but has been slowly working his way back to form this campaign. He produced a terrific Stradbroke Handicap lead-up when narrowly beaten by the outstanding Joliestar in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup two weeks ago. Golden Mile carried weight-for-age of 59kg that day and drops to 53.5kg, he's drawn to get all the favours and is at each way odds. An EPIC finish in the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup sees Joliestar nab them right on the line to take her third Group 1! 🤩 @cwallerracing @mcacajamez @BrisRacingClub @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 THE WHISPER: FAWKNER PARK (Race 9 No.1) doesn't have to worry about the rampant Antino in the Q22. Fawkner Park has chased home Antino in both the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup, finishing second albeit some four lengths behind the winner who has since been spelled. Fawkner Park romped home in the Q22 last year and is poised for a repeat success. Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style! @BrisRacingClub @G1TySchil @ANeashamRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024 • BIG BETS: Punters back 2YO to win $94,500 â– â– â– â– â– TAB FIXED ODDS BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS MARKET MOVERS: Eagle Farm runner backed from $19 into $8.50 @ClintonPayne reveals all the major market movers ahead of raceday on Saturday, including a local galloper that's been well supported in a black type race at Eagle Farm. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– LADBROKE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS ROSEHILL GARDENS Race 1: Namaste $8.50-$6 with a bet of $310 a $7.50, Scoop The Pool $11-$6.50 with bets of $235 at $9.50, $500 at $ Race 2: Pharoahzano $27-$14 Race 3: Monte Kate $10-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10), Let's Go Again $8-$7 after a $285 wager at $8, Il Passero $21-$11 Race 4: Don't Forget Jack $18-$9 with a bet of $120 at $18, Hopper $8.50-$4.20 after a bet of $1440 at $5.50, Oui Oui Oui $7.50-$6.50 after a $1,000 bet at $7.75 Race 5: King's Secret $7-$5.50, Stagnum $12-$9 Race 6: Chica Mojito $14-$7, Little Cointreau $6.50-$4.50 with a bet of $365 at $6.50 Race 7: Unstopabull firm at $6.50 after a bet of $500 w/p at $6.50/$2.35, Crafty Eagle $31-$19, Getafix $9-$6.50 after a bet of $265 at $8.50), Snack Bar $4.80-$3.80 with a bet of $588 at $4.40 Race 8: Touristic $5.50-$4.20 with a bet of $400 a $5.50, Steel Blaze $71-$35, Don Diego De Vega $3.50-$4.15-$3.90 including a bet of $1,000 at $4.15 Race 9: Good Prize $23-$14, Quantum Cat $17-$9.50, Kind Words $15-$9, Misterkipchoge $8.50-$9.50-$8.50 with a bet of $235 at $8.50 Race 10: Gently Rolled $46-$21, Totoka $16-$12 with a bet of $200 at $14.50 There have been emotional highs and devastating lows in the Rothfire story, and if he can pull off a Stradbroke miracle it would be trainer Rob Heathcote’s greatest racing moment. @bendorries76 @Racing_QLD @BrisRacingClub — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 EAGLE FARM Race 1: Just Party $3.70-$3.20 with a bet of $800 at $3.50, $871 and $800 at $3.30 Race 2: Unspoken $12-$7.50 with a bet of $180 at $12 Race 3: Etna Rosso $4-$2.80 after a bet of $670 at $4), Dillian $2000 w/p at $14/$3.30 Race 4: Quietly Arrogant $4.40-$3.80 with a $600 bet at $4.4, Damien bets of $1600, $1500 and $570 but stays at $5.50 Race 5: Need Some Luck $2.80-$2.50 has been well backed with bets of $2375 at $2.75, $1180 at $2.70, $500 at $2.60, I Am Artie $17-$11 after a bet of $125 at $17 Race 6: Cool Archie $4.20-$3.80 with bets of $1000 and $750 at $4.15, $5000 at $4.05, $7500 place only at $1.70), Torque To Be Sure $21-$19 after a bet of $500 at $19), Navy Pilot $26-$8, Providence $51-$9.50 Race 7: Firestorm $5-$4.40 with bets of $500 at $5, $1000 at $4.60, $500 at $4.40, City Of Lights $7-$10-$6.50, El Morzillo $16-$20-$13 Race 8: Golden Mile $12-$8, War Machine $2.80-$3.30 despite some big bets including $1000 at $3.40 three times, $1000 at $3.20, $5000, $1500, $1000 and $710 at $3.10, The Instructor $26-$15 Race 9: New Endeavour $5.50-$3.90 with a bet of $500 at $5 SANDOWN-HILLSIDE Race 1: Hello Romeo $12-$7 with a bet of $222 at $10, Ocean Spirit $7.50-$4 after a bet of $500 at $, Yolo $4-$3.60 after bets of $690 at $3.90, $500 at $3.65, Victory Tune $365 at $12 Race 2: Terilee with bets of $500 at $3, $500 at $2.90 twice, Two Sigma $101-$71 after a bet of $500 w/p at $101/$14 Race 3: Supernima $10-$7.50 after a bet of $222 at $10, Whateley $800 at $5.50, Ahha Ahha $2.60-$2.90-$2.70 with bets of $500 at $2.95, $500 at $2.80, $1,180 and $666 at $2.70), Nimbustwothousand $17-$9.50 after a bet of $135 at $16 Race 4: Dirty Grin $3.40-$3.70-$3.30 including a bet of $500 at $3.75 Race 5: Trial By Press $18-$15, Blistering $26-$19, Lady Papygate $18-$11, Our Red Morning $61-$35 Race 6: Roadcone (best backed runner in Australia) with consistent support firming from $2.80 to $2.50 after bets of $1000 and $800 twice at $2.90, $2000 at $2.85, $3500, $3000 twice, $2300, $2000, $1100, $1000 all at $2.70, $2000 at $2.60, Nation's Call with a bet of $888 at $10 Race 7: Saban $5-$3.80 after a bet of $500 at $5, Sayedaty Sadaty $9-$5.50 with a bet of $310 at $7.50 Race 8: Talbragar $13-$9.50 after a bet of $165 a $13, Along The River $14-$11 Race 9: Munhamek $31-$19, The Astrologist $46-$27, The Open $7.50-$6 The big bookies give their best and value tips as well as top selections in the Stradbroke Handicap, JJ Atkins and Brisbane Cup ðŸ'‡ What's gambling really costing you? — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– INTERSTATE MAIL Sandown-Hillside Race 5 No.2 EXTREME VIRTUE Sandown-Hillside Race 6 No.5 ROADCONE Sandown-Hillside Race 9 No.15 THE OPEN Murray Bridge Race 6 No.8 ZARKANA Murray Bridge Race 8 No.10 SYNCHRO 14 EXPERTS: STRADBROKE, JJ ATKINS TIPS, BETTING STRATEGIES Form analysts from Racenet and Punters analyse the two big Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday, presenting their top three selections for each race plus suggested bet. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– Cejay Graham’s first job was in a fish and chip shop and thank goodness she hated it, because it led her to becoming a jockey, writes @bendorries76. @CejayGraham1 @BrisRacingClub @Racing_QLD — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 13, 2025
Daily Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Trainer James Cummings to train in Hong Kong from 2026-27
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. James Cummings has withdrawn his application for the famous Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick after accepting an offer to train in Hong Kong. Cummings flew to Hong Kong on Tuesday to front a press conference this morning in which the Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed the trainer would move there for the start of the 2026-27 season. It's a real coup for Hong Kong racing to secure one of Sydney's most outstanding trainers. Cummings' tenure as Godolphin's private trainer comes to an end on July 31. He will take a 'sabbatical'' from training before he moves to Hong Kong next year. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'This wasn't a decision I made lightly. With the upcoming conclusion of my exclusive role at Godolphin, I have carefully considered the right path forward,'' Cummings said. 'While continuing to train in Australia was my intention, the opportunity in Hong Kong presented a unique and respected environment to challenge myself and grow further as a trainer. This is a progression to the next stage of my career in a new jurisdiction.'' Cummings said he was privileged to lead a 'talented and committed team' at Godolphin since 2017. 'In deciding not to train next season, I also wanted to be fair to my staff by giving them the opportunity to commit to a long-term role with another stable,'' he said. 'To the owners who had already been forthcoming in their support, I want to express my sincerest appreciation. 'I felt it would be unfair to continue, only to step away and leave the team and yearlings without guidance during a pivotal stage in their development.' Cummings has been reconsidering his future since Godolphin Australia recently made a bombshell announcement that it was moving to a public training model from August 1. The trainer had lodged an application to take over the vacant Leilani Lodge stables at Royal Randwick. The Australian Turf Club's board of directors is due to meet this week to discuss which trainer will be allocated the 60-boxes at Leilani Lodge where Bart Cummings trained so successfully for more than 40 years. An original Hall of Fame inductee, Bart Cummings prepared some of his greatest champions out of Leilani Lodge including Saintly, So You Think, Beau Zam, Shaftesbury Avenue, Sky Chase, Campaign King, Dane Ripper and many others. The nation's leading trainer, Ciaron Maher, and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team are the clear favourites to be given the keys to the Randwick stables which have been vacant since the licence of James's father, Anthony Cummings, was revoked earlier this year. The famous Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick. • Comeback star can give Cummings a Golden send-off in Stradbroke James Cummings is only 37 years of age and has already trained 52 career Group 1 winners including two with his legendary grandfather, Bart. To put this achievement into context, Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith didn't train their 50th Group 1 winner until they turned 45. Chris Waller may rewrite all the training records but he didn't get to 50 big race wins until he was 42. In fact, the only other trainer to reach 50 Group 1 wins before the age of 40 was Lee Freedman who was 38. Cummings has been Godolphin's trainer since 2017 and has been hugely successful for the global racing and breeding giant, preparing 48 Group 1 winners for the 'Blue Army' and more than $200 million prizemoney. Anamoe has been Godolphin's best horse during the Cummings era winning nine Group 1 races including the 2022 Cox Plate and earning Horse of the Year honours in 2022-23. Cummings trained a Golden Slipper quinella in 2019 with Kiamichi and Microphone, and the winners of the Golden Eagle (Colette, 2019), Doncaster Mile (Cascadian, 2021), Epsom Handicap (Hartnell, 2018), Tancred Stakes (Avilius, 2019) and two Golden Roses with Broadsiding (2024) and Bivouac (2019). The champion trainer also enjoyed tremendous success for Godolphin interstate preparing the winners of the All Star Mile (Tom Kitten, 2025), two Australian Cups (Cascadian 2023, 2024), three Newmarket Handicaps (Bivouac, 2020, In Secret, 2023 and Cylinder, 2024), two VRC Oaks (Zardozi, 2024 and Willowy, 2021), two Caulfield Guineas (Anamoe, 2021 and Golden Mile, 2022) and the Stradbroke Handicap (Trekking, 2019). Originally published as James Cummings accepts offer to train in Hong Kong from the 2026-27 season
The Age
19 hours ago
- The Age
Cummings backs Golden Mile to challenge for farewell Godolphin group 1
On the quick back-up from the biggest decision of his career, James Cummings is confident Golden Mile can handle a short turnaround and push to give him a final group 1 win as head trainer of Godolphin Australia on Saturday in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Already set to end his eight-year tenure at Godolphin on July 31, Cummings announced on Wednesday at a press conference in Sha Tin that he had accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong from September next year and he was having next season off to refresh and prepare for the move. The life-changing decision came as he tries to score a final elite-level win with Godolphin, who look unlikely to have a contender for the last group 1 of the season, the Tatts Tiara on June 28. That leaves the Stradbroke and JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday at Eagle Farm as perhaps the last opportunities as a farewell major for Cummings, who has landed 52 group 1s. Last Saturday, Golden Mile was a brave third in a thrilling finish to the group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). After working early to sit outside leader Zarastro, Golden Mile looked to have edged ahead late before Joliestar swooped to nab a resurgent Zarastro in a photo finish, with Golden Mile close behind. In the other group 1s, Pinito fell just short of You Wahng in the Queensland Oaks and Lavalier was one and a half lengths back in fourth in the Derby. Cummings felt Golden Mile, which returned to racing this season after his stud career was ended by injury after covering just 14 mares, could be in the finish again. He was a $9 Sportsbet chance from gate two with Jason Collett aboard again. 'In the midst of all this going on, we've been focusing on training horses,' Cummings said.
