Cummings Hints At Taking The 'Bull' To The Everest
Australia, Racing News, 19.09.19: Godolphin trainer James Cummings has strongly hinted that Osborne Bulls will be their runner in the A$14 million Everest next month.
The multiple Gr.1 placegetter, and third in last year’s Everest, resumes in the Gr.2 A$500,000 The Shorts and Cummings said he’s treating the gelding as their runner in the A$14 million feature.
Of course Godolphin still has Alizee in the mix, with Cummings saying earlier this month she won’t race again until Everest day, and it seems she’s available to be selected by other slot holders.
James Harron hasn’t nominated his runner as yet, while the remaining slot holders are Coolmore, who has Ten Sovereigns in quarantine bound for Sydney, and the winner of the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield will take the Melbourne Racing Club’s slot.
He’s one of the nation’s classiest sprinters, with his dazzling turn of foot from the back, but he wasn’t able to crack it at the top level in the second half of last season with five consecutive Gr.1 seconds.
Cummings said Osborne Bulls has done more than enough work for his first-up assignment and goes into the race with no expectation other than to run well with next month’s goal in mind.
The 6yo is joined in The Shorts by Home Of The Brave, who ironically was to be Godolphin’s runner under the ATC slot in last year’s Everest, and Viridine but all eyes will be on the Bull.
Cummings said Home Of The Brave, who hasn’t raced since finishing last in the Stradbroke in June, was a late entry into the race due to the wet weather. Viridine also contested the Stradbroke at his last appearance, finishing sixth behind Trekking.