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By Ray Hickson

It wouldn’t be wise to give up on Criaderas just yet – that’s the message from Godolphin head trainer James Cummings as the gelding steps out again at Rosehill on Saturday searching for an overdue win.

Godolphin trainer James Cummings (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The five-year-old’s last win was back in October 2020 in a preparation where he emerged as a highly promising galloper and earned a start in the Golden Eagle where he ran a respectable eighth in trying conditions - his only heavy track attempt.

While his performances since that campaign haven’t reached the heights of the expectation around him Godolphin is being patient with Criaderas and that could pay off in the Listed $150,000 XXXX January Cup (2000m).

After placings in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Summer Cup, his first attempt at 2000m, Cummings is upbeat about his chances on Saturday and the future.

“We’re still hoping he has a good win in him,’’ Cummings said.

“I think he lost his way there for a couple of runs but he seems to be finding it again. The horse that was promising so much 12 months ago might yet deliver on an important race for us at some stage.

“The one thing I’ve noticed about him this preparation is he’s racing better now than he was in his first two runs back which is to me a very important sign.”

Criaderas, $4 favourite with TAB on Friday, handled his first attempt at 2000m well though he found Parry Sound a little stronger at the finish.

Cummings said that will toughen him up particularly with a rain affected track a certainty at Rosehill.

“We felt that he acquitted himself well over 2000m at his first go,’’ he said.

“We made a bit of use of him there so he was good and determined late just to find one better that he gave some weight to.

“He’s better for the run at the trip coming into the January Cup.”

It’s easy to forget Criaderas has only had 14 starts so Cummings said there’s plenty of time for him to find his feet again.

Perhaps that rush through the grades in the 2020 spring happened a bit too quickly, perhaps he’s not a Group 1 performer but Cummings is sure his days of winning races aren’t over. Just ask Kementari.

“When the pressure goes on those horses need to keep delivering when they get into harder races,’’ he said.

“He hasn’t delivered with a win for a while yet but we are still harbouring some confidence about him and that includes going into his assignment this weekend.

“We keep our feet on the ground but we don’t think we’ve quite seen the best of him. The best part is we can afford to be patient about it.”

Tim Clark rides Criaderas as well as Lackeen for Godolphin in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m) and Cummings said while coming back from a mile, following a third behind Lightning Jack last month, isn’t perfect for him he expects the gelding to hold his form.

Clark has ridden Lackeen, who has started favourite in both runs since a first-up Flemington win over 1400m and was $4.20 with TAB on Friday, three times for three second placings.

“The step back in trip is interesting, we’ll see if he freshens up well back to seven,’’ Cummings said.

“If the leaders don’t get their own way in front in that race then he can be a winning chance.”

Criaderas runs second at Randwick on December 26

Three-year-old Retrieval jumps straight from a Canterbury maiden win into the ACY Securities Handicap (1100m) but with some handy form around his first-up victory.

Stablemate Trifaccia finished fifth in that race and was able to win at Warwick Farm during the week.

“I thought it was a good win in that maiden and don’t forget he was well in the betting in a Listed race on debut,’’ Cummings said.

“He’s finding his way now, we had Trifaccia finish out of the placings in his maiden win and she’s gone on to win second-up.

“He’s deserving of a crack at a Saturday race straight from a maiden. Now that he’s gelded and in good form he can reap the benefits.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting