|
|
Cummings Could Win Queensland Oaks - 05-28-09
May 28 - Legendary Australian racehorse trainer Bart Cummings has won just about every major race in the nation in his illustrious 50-year career, but that will not stop him from seeking a win in Saturday's AUD$400,000 Queensland Oaks (Gr 1) at Eagle Farm with Think Money, and end his lengthy 22-year drought.
In 1987 Cummings celebrated an impressive victory in the 2400m Brisbane race for three-year-old fillies at set weights with Round the World, but for more than two decades a repeat victory has eluded the trainer. However, that could all change on Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse given Think Money's recent form.
On April 18 this year, the filly came second to top-rated New Zealand filly, Daffodil, in the 2400m AJC Australian Oaks (Gr 1) at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. She then headed off to Brisbane where she ran a strong race to finish 5th in the 2020m Doomben Roses (Gr3), a prep race for the Queensland Oaks.
Many Australian horseracing fans view the Queensland Oaks as Cummings' 'Kryptonite'. However, according to the training legend's long-time foreman Reg Fleming, this is untrue. 'Bart won the Brisbane Cup for the first time in 33 years 12 months ago with Viewed. Until then he hadn't won the race since 1975.
Going into last year's AUD$300,000 Brisbane Cup (Gr 2), many punters did hold much hope for Cummings' charge Viewed, but the five-year-old stallion proved them all wrong when he thundered home first in the 2400m outing, and then went on to win the auspicious AUD$5.5 million Melbourne Cup in the same year.
Anyone who knows Cummings will agree that it is precisely when he is surrounded by doubters that he manages to pull the big wins out of the bag, and the Queensland Oaks could prove that yet again. Think Money will have Michael Cahill aboard on Saturday, who has recovered from a nasty fall two weeks ago.
To drive home his point further, Fleming warned rival stables not to underestimate Think Money, who is the daughter of Danehill Dancer, despite her current status as a maiden performer. Two of the other expected runners in the Queensland Oaks - Ekstreme and Purple - may also be worth a small wager or two.
Other Articles:
Rachel Alexander Will Not Run in Belmont Stakes - 06-01-09Irish Runners Rated For 2009 Epsom Derby - 05-31-09Chip Wooley Seeks Borel for Belmont - 05-30-09Gaultier Can Win Golden Horse Casino Sprint - 05-29-09Mr. Hot Stuff Unlikely Tip For Belmont Stakes - 05-27-09IHFA Announces World Thoroughbred Rankings - 05-27-09Borel Chalks Up Fourth Big Win On Brass Hat - 05-26-09US Jockey Undergoes Surgery After Fall - 05-25-09
|
|
