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By Ray Hickson

Trainer James Cummings is banking on Zardozi’s proven ability to rise to a staying challenge when he’s asked as the reason she can have a big say in the finish of Saturday’s Group 1 $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

Trainer James Cummings (Pic: Bradley Photos)

It’s not what you’d call a conventional two mile preparation for the mare, a last start third in the 2000m Australian Cup, so that’s why Cummings is just going to have faith in her.

Zardozi, $8 with TAB on Thursday, ran fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup at her only 3200m attempt and from the viewpoint of using that as a guide to her chances he can only see positives.

“She was only beaten 1.3 lengths in that Melbourne Cup and (jockey) Andrea Atzeni would concur that it did feel when it’s all said and done she didn’t quite see it out,’’ Cummings said.

“Zardozi’s form in staying races is outstanding. She rose in distance to win a VRC Oaks, just went down in an ATC Oaks, she was narrowly defeated in a Metropolitan, fourth in a Caulfield Cup and fourth in a Melbourne Cup.

“There’s a lot to be said for that form and with two searching gallops in behind the pace set by Pride Of Jenni, in the Peter Young and Australian Cup, we’ve got a mare who is well conditioned to be as fit as she could possibly be at this stage of her preparation.”

Cummings said it’s been seen before that horses can improve with the experience of running over two miles but does say it will require a big performance and a good ride from Kerrin McEvoy.

“The reality is from the good draw again Kerrin McEvoy will be reminded there are not enough Os in smooth,” he said.

“He just needs to keep a good flowing gallop on the mare, hold her together when the pressure is on, and she will be one of the threats capable of upsetting Alalcance.”

Barrier one wasn’t the advantage to Tom Kitten in last week’s Doncaster Mile that Cummings hoped it would be, he was beaten under a length in seventh, so he backs up in the Group 1 $5m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) suggesting he has nothing to lose.

The four-year-old was well supported in the Doncaster, starting $6, and the trainer would like to see a more genuinely run race.

“He hit the line well in the Doncaster, his form is going to read he finished seventh but he was only beaten a length,’’ he said.

“He was in the slow ground on the day from barrier one and Ben Melham unfortunately just never got the opportunity to go left when he wanted to.

“This will be an interesting test on the seven day back up and he might even be improved by taking on these good horses before heading for a spell.”

For different reasons, the barrier is a small issue with Cummings as Golden Slipper placegetter Tempted seeks a consolation win in the Group 2 $1m The Star Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m).

After jumping from the outside gate and mowing down subsequent Slipper winner Marhoona in the Reisling the inside alley proved her downfall on the big day but Cummings said she’s come through the run in fine style.

While he sees the barrier as a challenge he’ll give James McDonald an open book as to how to navigate it.

“After having come through the Golden Slipper with her momentum impeded at a critical time, in the words of Blake Shinn, and pulled up with all of that stored energy this race was too difficult to resist,’’ he said.

LIGHT INFANTRY MAN wins the @tabcomau Australian Cup for @cmaherracing and @Brown_ethan8 🏆

🎥 @Racing #AusCup #RacingSpectacular pic.twitter.com/eV3bCo7s9n

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 29, 2025

Zardozi runs third in the Australian Cup (Video: VRC on X)

“She’s trained on like she’s unfazed by the occasion. She’s capable of overcoming the weight penalty and I dare say capable of overcoming the barrier.

“I think there is a lack of genuine pace on paper and James McDonald should have his options open so I won’t be tying him down.”

Last year’s Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot backed up into the Percy Sykes and finished runner-up to Eneeza.

James Cummings on Commemorative (race 10): “She’s been building toward something and we’ve been patient so far. Running her in a handicap with a very light weight was a chance last time but it didn’t work out form the inner draw, unfortunately all the gates closed on her whenever she wanted to burst through one. Here we are in the Sapphire at set weights and penalties where she is well suited and drawn to get a lot of room. Regrettably there’s not a lot of tempo on paper but if we can get on the back of the right horse going forward and things go evenly for James from the gate Commemorative is a chance of getting a perfect run for her and under those circumstances she will be running a huge race.”

All the fields, form and replays for Day 2 of The Star Championships at Randwick