Cummings hoping to have rivals covered with Tarpaulin and Kerguelen

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Cummings hoping to have rivals covered with Tarpaulin and Kerguelen

By Nick Berney

Trainer James Cummings will saddle up two promising types at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and they will both look to go one better after narrow last-start defeats.

Lightly raced two-year-old Tarpaulin will try to get the stable off to a winning start in the opening event over 1200m.

Trainer James Cummings.

Trainer James Cummings.Credit: Getty

The Godolphin galloper indicated he would return improved in his second preparation, and his first-up effort at this track a fortnight ago was full of merit.

He had his chance stalking the speed, but showed a turn of foot and maintained a strong gallop through the line, clocking one of the meeting’s fastest final 200m splits.

He couldn’t hold out a smart type in Mawjood, but the clock backed up the visuals with the race rating exceptionally well relative to the day and the margins throughout backing the quality.

He will have improved his fitness from that effort, the rise in trip is ideal, and jockey Zac Lloyd is in career-best form.

In addition, Tarpaulin has a dominant sectional profile relative to his rivals and will be hard to hold out.

Trunk resumes from a 151-day spell and looms as the main danger to the early favourite.

He comes out of the Waterhouse and Bott yard and has had two trials, which gives him the platform to kick off his campaign in style.

Advertisement

The colt’s debut effort was solid behind subsequent group 3 placegetter Stay Focused. If he can get back to that level, with Nash Rawiller riding, he can be in the finish.

Loading

All eyes will be on Kerguelen, the second of Cummings’ leading chances in the final event over 1300m.

The three-year-old will look to bounce back after being odds-on last start at this track and distance, only to be beaten in a photo finish.

The gelding had slight excuses after losing his spot before the turn and was outpaced up-tempo. As soon as he was balanced up, he surged to the line with late sectional strength.

He gets a more favourable race set-up here with a genuine anticipated race shape, and all key indicators suggest he will peak third-up.

Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading