Stable News

Upbeat Bounces Back at Rosehill

14/1/2012 - The Anthony Cummings trained Upbeat has broken through for an overdue second win with a strong performance in the Ranvet Benchmark 73 Handicap over 1500m at Rosehill.  

Front runner Senta D'Amor  kicked strongly at the top of the straight and looked to have the race at his mercy with a furlong to go, but under strong riding from the recently returned, and very much in form, Peter Robl, Upbeat  was able to gun him down in the shadows of the post.  

A three-year-old gelding by Strategic, Upbeat has always shown plenty of talent but has been unable to cash in on it until now  

The run was sharp improvement on last start having been well beaten by both Senta D'Amor and The Owl over the same track and distance two weeks ago.   

Upbeat was trapped wide on that occasion and failed to finish off but he was able to reverse that form in style today.   

An ideal run throughout was the key to changing the fortunes of Upbeat according to Cummings' stable representative Barry Smith. 'It makes all the difference to get that good run in transit.' Smith said.   

'He's a tough little bugger, nothing phases him, he's like a little pony around the place and just goes where you want him to go.'   

It was another winner for Peter Robl who is riding in terrific form since returning from lengthy suspension. After the race Robl echoed the thoughts of Smith.  

'The plan was to just keep rolling forward until we get to the one off, he travelled really nicely and was strong on the line.' Said Robl. 'Anthony has done a really nice job with him and I think he will win a couple more for them.' 

Diamond Earth Scorches Turf In Inglis Nursery  

17/12/11 - There is not much of Diamond Earth but she has a great motor as seen with a scintillating win in the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

The super speedy filly headed to Sydney after a dogged win at Moonee Valley in another Inglis event during the spring carnival and the result was another big first prize cheque.

Trained by Anthony Cummings and ridden by Peter Robl, Diamond Earth jumped quickly from barrier nine and crossed to be a comfortable leader on settling.

Rounding the turn Robl gave the filly a bit of rein and she responded impressively, putting four lengths on her rivals by the time the field straightened and that was the end of the race.

She got a bit tired over the final 100m and it made the finish of De Shamekh and Flying Snitzel look more impressive than they probably were, but Diamond Earth was never in any danger.

The margin at the line was three quarters of a length to De Shamekh with a length and three quarters to Flying Snitzel in third. The overall time was 58.5 with the last 600m run in 34.4.

“She was a lot better today (compared to Moonee Valley),” Cummings said. “She has taken big steps every time we have taken her out and shown her what to do.

“We haven't asked a lot of her leading into this, she is a natural two-year-old with plenty of speed and the trick was to get here her fit enough and feeling good.

“All the family have good gate speed and high cruise speed, all the successful ones have been, and she is plainly no different.

“One of her major assets is her gate speed and she has done that pretty much every time we have taken her to the gates and asked her to do it, but equally she is pretty kind and she does what you ask her to do.

“She has done a great job. These Inglis races are getting better by the minute. I tried to get one last night which was pretty frustrating and the race did not unfold that well for him.

“She is a very quick natural two-year-old. On her first win I thought she would run a strong 1200m but you don't have to run that quick to win 1200m races,” he said commenting on the filly feeling the early speed over the final stages.

The win was Robl's first major victory since he resumed riding after a 12 month stint on the sidelines for illegally betting on races.

“It is much better than watching the big races sitting on the couch,” Robl said.

“They say some horses are just pure speed and she is just pure speed. I didn't move on her out of the box and we had gone 200m and I thought we were going too hard for a five furlong race.

“I thought if I can't slow down I will just come with you, so I just let her run and she was happy doing it and she beat them with pure speed.

“The first couple of winners came off the fence, but for mine the fence is as good as anywhere and I was happy to let her follow it and the only time I gave her rein she responded.”

Diamond Earth is by Choisir out of the Strategic mare Face Of The Earth and is owned by A Cummings Thbds (A & B Cummings), J L Barton, M J Barton, J Salter, M Dykstra, Mrs G Coady, G T Coady, Miss R Coady, Miss A Coady & Doubledown.  

Cummings aims up for another Inglis Bonus race  

15/12/11 - Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings will play an important role in the outcome of the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.  

Cummings will saddle up two of the 12 runners. His team includes Diamond Earth, the winner of the $250,000 Inglis Banner (1000m) at Moonee Valley in October and an unraced Dylan Thomas colt named Cardiff Arms.  

Stable foreman, Edward Cummings said Diamond Earth has an "edge” on most of her rivals.  

"Diamond Earth won the Inglis Bonus race at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day so she’s already got the runs on the board,” he said.  

"The experience she has had is a plus. It gives you that little edge over a horse having its first start or its first trip away from home.  

"It will be interesting to see how her early two-year-old form stacks up against the ones coming through now.”  

Diamond Earth hasn’t raced since her October 22 win but was fitted up in her quest for another $150,000 winner’s purse with an easy trial over 867 metres at Randwick on December 2.  

"We were pretty happy with her trial at Randwick earlier this month. She did what we wanted her to do,” Cummings said.  

Cardiff Arms was described by Edward Cummings as "a lovely Dylan Thomas colt” and he suggested it wouldn’t be a surprise to him if the juvenile measures up on debut.  

"Most would have the breed as later developing types but he’s shown us enough to put his hand up to go to the races,” he said.  

"We worked him on Tuesday with Diamond Earth and he was more than up to the mark, so we’re pretty happy with him going to the races.  

"Saturday will help us figure out what is ahead for him.”  

Corporate bookie IASBet has installed Diamond Earth as the equal $6 second favourite while Cardiff Arms is a $21 chance. Peter Robl rides Diamond Earth with Christian Reith taking the reins of Cardiff Arms.  

Autumn Campaigners make way back into Stable

Up and coming flag bearers for the Anthony Cummings Stable have made their way back into his Sydney complex as they are prepared for the best Group One races on offer. 

He needs no introduction as his finishing speed has seen him lauded as a potential superstar. Yes, Smart Missile is back and we are very excited about what the future holds for this talented three year old.

Having tried and failed in the Group One Age Caulfield Guineas over 1600m during the Spring, the camp is happy to target the main sprint events over what promises to be a fantastic Autumn carnival.

Smart Missile has spelled in terrific fashion over the last seven weeks and his looks confirm it. Having hatched a plan with Gooree Park Stud to target the feature sprint races of the Autumn, Smart Missile will arrive at the track first-up on February 18th in the Group One Lightning Handicap over 1000m.

He will then have three weeks between runs before lining up in the Group One Newmarket Handicap over 1200m. Although the threat of Black Caviar will surely be felt, the liklihood that she will need to carry somewhere in the vicinity of 62kg's may be enough to keep her at home.

Two weeks into the Group One William Reid, 1200m (March 24) will see Smart Missile take on Black Caviar for the first time before he heads north for his final two Autumn targets - The Group One TJ Smith at Weight-For-Age (where it is likely he will take on Black Caviar once again) followed by the Group One All Aged Stakes over 1400m on April 28th.

Strike The Stars is also back in work and preparing for a tilt at the Australian Derby at the height of the Autumn carnival in April. 

He has a choice of two routes, with the Australian Guineas over 1600m at Flemington on the 3rd of March or the Randwick Guineas at Warwick farm on the 17th. He will most likely go through the Rosehill Guineas on his way to the Derby on the 14th of April.

Fontelina is another up and comer that we are confident will appear significantly through the carnival. His best distances appear to be at the mile and up to ten furlongs which will see him also contest the guineas.

His Spring came undone when he required gelding and with that added time off we are looking forward to seeing him continue to improve off his stakes winning performance as a late two year old.

Our two year old ranks are strong this season as well, with Inglis Bonus winner Diamond Earth back in work and very likely to target the Inglis Classic in late January.

Other named prospects include She's A Fox, Ninth Legion, Lady In Charge and Arrasene with plenty more soon to be named juveniles ready to prove their worth.

In all the upcoming Autumn carnival feels like it will hold a great deal of promise that we are confident of delivering on.

Cummings hopes rough Diamonds shine.     

The decision by the Victoria Racing Club not to allow jump-outs for two-year-olds down the straight at Flemington last Tuesday week has trainer Anthony Cummings worried.

Cummings has Diamond Player down to run in the first race at Flemington on Saturday, while stablemate Diamond Costa is the first emergency.

Having missed a place in Sydney, Diamond Player will be improved by the experience of running at Flemington last weekend, while Diamond Costa goes to the races for the first time.

''I'm happy with both of them,'' Cummings said. ''The horses with the experience up the straight, even after a trial or a jump-out, are advantaged.''

In the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Cummings will start Home On A Wing, which arrived in Melbourne after running sixth to Galizani in the Tattersall's Cup at Randwick last start.

''He is OK. He took a couple of days to settle in down here but he is there to run,'' Cummings said. ''He didn't draw too well up in Sydney but from the four gate on Saturday he'll run a race.'' 

At Randwick on Saturday, Cummings is willing to torture himself again with Hard Liquor.

''I own him, so I can drive myself mad,'' Cummings quipped. ''He disappointed the other day but he is back to the mile. We'll ride him quiet, let him hit the line and see what happens.''

Diamond Earth sparkles at Moonee Valley  

22/10/2011 - Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings opened Moonee Valley's Cox Plate Day with a bang by taking out the $250,000 Inglis Banner with Choisir filly Diamond Earth.    

This was the second race start for Diamond Earth and her experience was vital in handling the tight sprint course, ably assisted by Damien Oliver.  

The filly was out well from barrier six and Oliver quickly had her settled in second behind Lamingtons, coming through on the rails to take up the lead around the bend.  

Diamond Earth  and Lamingtons, also having her second race start, turned together with Diamond Earth having a neck advantage as they went past the 200m. The two settled down for a fight up the straight - taking advantage of their early break of two lengths over the chasers.  

Lamingtons tried hard to reach Diamond Earth but to the credit of the winner she stuck to the task well and held a head margin at the line. The field came quickly over the final 25m with $3.50 favourite Swipeline third and Rise To The Top fourth.  

“She showed great speed out of the gates at her first start and she's shown plenty of talent at home and that's why we brought her here in the first place, with that experience and certainly the fitness that came with it,” said Cummings.  

“She has come to the Valley very comfortably here on Tuesday with a nice gallop in a nice time. She did it within herself and showed the benefit of that in the race," he said.  

Cummings added blinkers for this race which he considered to have assisted the filly to concentrate.  

“It was very important I think. She was quite shy in her first start when the horses came around her, she sort of ran along the rail and just about into the rail so the blinkers just gave her that little bit more confidence. She travelled much better today, not as frantic.” he said.  

The filly was a recent purchase from a new owner to Cummings' stable, Geoff Coady as well as John and Maree Barton, Jason Salter, Mark Dystra and Shannon Marshall.

“A great result. These are some new owners for the stable and Geoff (Coady) has had a decent whack at a few horses so it's a great result for him with his first big win for us.”  

Damien Oliver was also happy with the effort, including her lead-up work for the race.

“She worked alright, blinkers first time and for a two-year-old it can be a bit hairy working around here (Moonee Valley) at Breakfast with the Stars but it was satisfactory work. It wasn't work to say she'd just come here and win but it was the sort of work that made you think she would improve on her first up run,” said Oliver.  

“Early on I thought we might try and take a trail but she was just going too well for the second horse so I thought it was better to keep her rhythm and go to the front.

While her immediate future has not yet been decided, the Maribyrnong Plate on Emirates day looms as Diamond Earth's next possible target.

2011 Geelong Cup - Red Eye Special set to stake his claim

17/10/11 - Dual state trainer Anthony Cummings took Red Eye Special to Geelong on the weekend to gallop leaving no stone unturned ahead of Wednesday’s $225,000 Group III Centrebet Geelong Cup (2400m).   

Cummings said he thinks he "might have found the right day to turn up” at Geelong for the Cup this year suggesting the field isn’t as strong, or big, as it’s been for recent editions.  

"I’m very pleased with where he is up to in his preparation and happy with the look at the race,” Cummings said.  

Red Eye Special is well down in Melbourne Cup calculations. The horse is 54th in the order of entry but a win on Wednesday makes the five-year-old gelding eligible for a Melbourne Cup penalty.  

Cummings said for that reason the Geelong Cup is vitally important so he took the son of Yamanin Vital to Geelong on the weekend, a move he described as "a worthwhile exercise”.  

"I just wanted to give him a bit of a tune up because he’s had a little bit of time between runs,” he said. "He was pretty comfortable on the surface. He worked very well.  

I’m very pleased with the way the horse worked there on the weekend. He’s in good shape.”  

The Caulfield-based trainer when in Melbourne said when assessing Red Eye Special, punters should look deeper than just a fifth placing in the Group I Metropolitan (2400m), beaten 3-3/4 lengths by The Verminator.  

"I thought his run in the Metrop was better than it looked," Cummings said.  

"The stop start nature of the way it was run didn’t suit him. I think he’s better in a race where there is some speed.  

"Taking into account those circumstances I think the run was pretty good.”  

The Geelong surface is rated a good (3) ahead of Saturday and the rail will be in the true position.  

Cummings said Red Eye Special is equally adept on a good or wet surfaces so he has no concerns over the track condition.  

In-form Melbourne jockey Chris Symons takes the ride aboard Red Eye Special, a $13 chance with Centrebet.

No Excuses For Missile: Cummings       

Anthony Cummings says there will be no excuses this time for highly-talented colt Smart Missile who is after Group One glory in Saturday's $1 million Caulfield Guineas.  

Cummings was very happy with the favourable barrier draw in barrier two for the son of Fastnet Rock who will wear winkers for the first time at his first try at 1600m.  

Smart Missile failed by a short neck when runner-up under Glen Boss in the Group One Golden Rose (1400m) when he had to come from last of the six runners at Rosehill.  

Cummings has great faith in the three-year-old who went back to last for Brett Prebble after jumping from the outside barrier (17) and didn't have luck go his way when 10th as favourite to Toorak Toff in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.  

"He's still the only horse to beat Sepoy and that was at his second race start when the other horse was well practised and had more experience," Cummings said.  

"So he has stepped up to that grade and I think we will again on Saturday.  

"But at this level you can't afford to make mistakes and we've had a couple of those at his last two starts.  

"I keep saying it wasn't the horse's fault, it was just what he was asked to do.  

"On Saturday if the breaks go his way he's good enough to win."  

Corey Brown, who won the Breeders Plate (1000m) at the colt's debut at Randwick a year ago and was aboard him in a pleasing gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, takes over the reins on Saturday.  

Cummings said a Cox Plate start would be determined by how Smart Missile performed in the Guineas.  

"Given that looks a sensible thing, that's what we'd like to do," he said.

Other runners on Saturday include in form mare Gybe (Northwood Plume Stakes, 1200m), Emerald Downs (Thoroughbred Club Stakes, 1200m) and Rosehill runners Diamond Player (Open 2YO Handicap, 1100m), Hard Liquor (BM 80, 1300m) and Red Lord and Bellissimo (both in BM85, 1900m).

Brown Starts Smart Missile Plate Diet   

4/10/2011 - In-demand jockey Corey Brown has placed himself on a Cox Plate diet after partnering talented Sydney colt Smart Missile in a sparkling gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.  

Brown has his second race ride on Smart Missile in Saturday's Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m), a race that will decide his immediate future.  

If he runs well in the Guineas, a Cox Plate start is on the colt's agenda and Brown is making sure he'll be available should that plan materialise.  

"Put it this way, I've started the diet already," Brown said.  

Under the weight-for-age scale, Smart Missile would carry 48.5kg in the Moonee Valley feature.  

Brown said he had been pleasantly surprised at Smart Missile's attitude in his gallop, which he said was in contrast to a racing pattern that contributed to his defeat in his first Melbourne run last month.  

"In his races he just loafs along and gets out the back," Brown said.  

"But I couldn't believe how keen he was in his work today.  

"I was expecting him to be relaxed and sit off the other horse but he was right up outside it and going quite solid."  

Smart Missile was shaded by his older galloping partner in his work at Caulfield, but Brown said he'd gone easy on the colt in the final stages.  

"The other horse won the gallop but I idled down the last 100 (metres) because I didn't want to do too much ... we'd gone pretty solid from the 600," he said.  

"I was happy with his work and I expect him to run well.  

"I know he's a good horse but it's going to be a hot race."  

Smart Missile has drawn barrier two for Saturday's Caufield Guineas.

Rivals Manawanui and Helmet have drawn barriers three and eight respectively.

Eight horses will take the field on Saturday.

Big Weekend holds great hopes for stable

30/9/2011 - Epsom Super Saturday is a typically busy time of year for race goers and enthusiasts with the Manikato Stakes recently being moved to Saturday Eve and opening the weekends Group 1 racing.

With four Group 1's on Saturday at Randiwck, including the Epsom and Metropolitan handicaps as well as the Spring Champion and Flight Stakes for the three year olds, followed by the AFL Grand Final the bevvy of sporting action is every man's dream.

But wait, there's more! Sunday is scheduled to host Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington racecourse and to cap off all the major events of the weekend we have the NRL Grand Final, not to mention So You Think's attempt to win the world championship race, the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe on Monday morning (AEST)!

While the weekend is sure to hold so many great moments, the Anthony Cummings stable is hopeful of being involved in a few of them.

Emerald Downs takes part in Friday's Champagne Stakes at Moonee Valley and represents a very good chance in a tough race.

Satin Shoes has nearly 20 handicap ratings points over Emerlad Downs and with the Set Weights conditions of the race looks well placed.

The area that Emerald Downs will excel in is over the 1200m. She should be haunting Satin Shoes in the run and has the right form to produce a better sprint at six furlongs, having won at the track and distance previously.

Saturday sees the stables representation grow as all the racing action takes place at Royal Randwick, following a last-minute refurbishment to the QEII Grandstand.

Our first for the day is Lucha Libre in the Premiere Sakes. First-up over 1200m in an open Group 2 at weight-for-age makes this a very difficult propostion and threatens her unbeaten record.

However having won in Listed company on a slow track over the same distance during the Autumn, and on the back of some solid trials and track work we are confident she will run well despite the obvious challange ahead.

Our next runner is impressive last start winner and Spring Champion Stakes favourite Strike The Stars.

Coming off his previous win in the Gloaming Stakes over 1800m at Rosehill the stable is quite confident he can go on with the job here. 

Despite knuckling shortly after the start that day, leaving Hugh Bowman with little choice but to ease, Strike The Stars showed his abundant potential by making a run from the half mile, weaving through a slowing field and picking up a runaway leader with relative ease. 

His preparation for tomorrow's race has been trouble free and with a similarly run race predicted Strike The Stars ought to be hard to beat - even with Darci Be Good, Ambidexter and Rekindled Alliance engaged.

Dealer Principal is our Epsom smokey and we are quietly confident that he can run a very cheeky race, especially at odds of $201 - $1!

While his last start in the Hill Stakes saw him fade over the last furlong at Rosehill, his work since has been encouraging and with a good barrier (7) and light weight (52.5kg's) this Rosehill Guineas winner could provide another Cumming's boilover.

The Flight Stakes will jump with two Anthony Cummings trained runners in Houston Benefactor and Shadow West.  

Houston Benefactor broke through for her maiden win first-up this prep when scoring easily at Canterbury over 1200m. 

She has since put in some good but luckless runs and with some pleasing trackwork and her coat beginning to flourish we expect that she will be competitive, especially from barrier 2 and with Nash Rawiller on board.

Shadow West comes out of the Reginald Allen Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday, winning prior to that run where she suffered a wide run throughout and only faded with a little more than 100m left to the line.

She has been in terrrific form of late thus from a good barrier (3) and with Kiwi whiz kid James Macdonald on board Anthony believes that she too will be very competitive.

Rounding out the day are Home On A Wing and Red Eye Special in the Metropolitan Handicap.

Both are on the minimum and come off fighting last start seconds in the Newcastle Cup and Colin Stephen Quality respectively, both of which are fantastic indexs for the Group 1 feature.

Both are able to handle the softish ground predicted and both have been primed by Anthony to improve for a Group 1 performance.

That rounds out our representation for the weekend, but not our interest!

Anthony favours Manly to beat the Warriors from New Zealand and Geelong to account for Collingwood in the Grand Final double.

It goes without saying that Anthony and the rest of Australia will be cheering on So You Think on Monday morning - In fact frogs legs should be on the menu!

Good luck for the weekend and happy punting!

Smart Missile In "education" Trial 

27/9/2011 - A jumpout in Melbourne on Tuesday was used in part to remind Smart Missile to work into a more prominent position from the start of his races.  

Trainer Anthony Cummings was frustrated Smart Missile wasn't asked by Brett Prebble to improve into the race earlier on Saturday in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, leaving the colt too big a task when finishing midfield after a checkered passage in the straight.  

"When the gates opened (last Saturday) the horse bowed his head and went to the tail of the field because that's all he's ever been asked to do," Cummings said.  

"It's no fault on the horse, he's just been doing what he's asked to do.  

"The reality is you can't be giving starts like that all the time, certainly not in big fields, and if you're going to be competitive at the top end you've got to be putting yourself in a competitive position from the gate.  

"Today was a bit about reminding the horse that that's what's got to happen so that we don't have to go and have a practice in a Caulfield Guineas."  

Cummings said Smart Missile only worked for the first 400m of the 800m jumpout at Caulfield, in which champion Black Caviar impressed in winning by six lengths.  

"They (Smart Missile and Black Caviar) were in the same trial but they weren't out to do the same thing," Cummings said.  

Smart Missile's new jockey Corey Brown rode the colt to a debut victory in the Breeders Plate 12 months ago but hasn't been aboard in a race since.  

He will partner him in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday week in which Smart Missile is the second favourite behind Guineas Prelude winner Helmet.

Randwick track – ‘The best it’s been for a long time’

27/9/2011 - Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce has declared the Randwick course proper "the best its been for a long time” ahead of the "Super Saturday” meeting this weekend.  

The meeting will showcase four Group I races, including the time-honoured Epsom and Metropolitan Handicaps and, after eight weeks of "r and r”, the course proper is in "perfect” order according to Pearce.  

"It’s the silver lining to the cloud," he said. "We’ve had eight weeks rest and with the good weather we’ve had leading up, plenty of time and treatment has gone into getting that track perfect for Saturday.  

"It’s the best it’s been for a long time and we just need the weather to play its part.”  

The only unfortunate news regarding the surface is the 48mm of rainfall that fell at Randwick between last Saturday and Sunday forcing a downgrade to slow (6).  

"It’s currently a slow track after the weekend rain but we’re hoping we can get that back to dead or better for the weekend,” Pearce said.  

"There will be no excuses for any horse – it’s a really good surface.”  

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting rain to develop in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon. On Thursday the prediction is for "areas of rain clearing during the afternoon” .  

The expectation on "Super Saturday” is for a partly cloudy day with the chance of a shower. The top temperature forecast is 19 degrees.  

Smart move for Missile  

25/9/2011 - COREY Brown has already secured a personal trainer and a dietitian to help strip his body to the 49.5kg needed to ride Smart Missile in the Cox Plate.   

Brown yesterday got the nod to partner the talented but troublesome colt at his next start in the $1 million Caulfield Guineas on October 8 and $3 million Cox Plate on October 22.

"It isn't going to be easy but at least I've got sufficient time to do it properly and work towards being the right weight on the day," Brown said.

"I haven't needed to ride lower than 51kg since I won the Melbourne Cup on Shocking. I got down that low without too many hassles.

"I'll be watching what I eat and staying on top of my fitness. I've got a trainer and dietitian on board already to make sure I do everything I can."

Trainer Anthony Cummings wanted a rider who could commit to both races, ruling Brett Prebble, who was aboard Smart Missile in the Rupert Clarke, out as he can't ride the weight for three-year-olds in a Cox Plate.  

Glen Boss had hoped to return to the saddle within a fortnight following his fall at Flemington last Friday but is now staring down a month on the sidelines.

He is still in hospital after having surgery to insert plates for a badly broken shoulder and is expecting to learn his spring carnival fate when he meets a specialist tomorrow.

"The prognosis is a little worse than what we originally thought and I'd say he will be out for at least a month," his racing manager Reece Murphy said.

Brown rode Smart Missile to victory on debut in the Breeders Plate last year and is delighted to be given another chance after he handed up the opportunity in the autumn due to his commitment to Shocking.

"He is definitely a special animal, there is no doubting that," Brown said. "I think he has just been getting too far back in his races, so it will be my job to make sure he can overcome that."

Smart Missile remains favourite for the Caulfield Guineas despite his defeat in the Sir Rupert Clarke at the weekend.

He is $3.30 with TAB Sportsbet, just ahead of Helmet at $3.60. Next are Moment Of Change ($5.50) and Manawanui ($7).

The Fastnet Rock colt is a $12 chance in the Cox Plate but he is not the top-rated three-year-old because Helmet has firmed to $8.50 third pick after Peter Snowden yesterday indicated he would progress to the weight-for-age race if he runs a big race in the Caulfield Guineas.

Manawanui is due to float to Melbourne today. Ron Leemon and jockey Glyn Schofield are keen for the olden Rose-Stan Fox Stakes winner to have a few looks at Caulfield before the Guineas.

He is not among the nominations for the Cox Plate but is in the early entries for the Victoria Derby. Helmet is equal favourite with Chase The Rainbow at $8 and Manawanui is on the second line of betting at $9.

Coordinates all locked in for Smart Missile   

Story by Gary Crispe  

Saturday, 24 September 2011: The lone three-year-old in the G1 Rupert Clarke Stakes despite having the widest launching pad possible is the most likely to hit the target and win    

Smart Missile  comes into the handicap feature over 1400m on Saturday with a Timeform master rating of 124 and that is more than enough to hit the mark and in fact it is plenty.

Three-year-olds have a reasonable record in the race and it has turned out to be a serious sire-maker for some of them too.

The four winners in the last sixteen years aged three were Our Maizcay (1995), Encosta De Lago, which won from the outside gate of eighteen in 1996, Testa Rossa in 1999 (he won again in 2000 under 58.5kg) and most recently Exceed And Excel in 2003.  

Interestingly Exceed And Excel went into the 2003 renewal with exactly the same Timeform rating as Smart Missile earned off his win in the Roman Consul Stakes.

We all know how good the above quartet were as racehorses and now sires but the other significant fact is how a couple of them rated after the victory.

Exceed And Excel and Testa Rossa both were Timeform rated 125 after their wins as three-year-olds, so Smart Missile is not only already on queue to emulate them but could actually become the highest rated three-year-old winner of the race in recent time.

I should add here as a reference that Testa Rossa rated 126 when winning as a four-year-old in 2000 and no horse since has been successful carrying anywhere near the 58.5kg he did.

In fact nothing has carried within 3kg of that, so some of the in form older names competing this afternoon have a decade long barrier to overcome if they want to reign supreme in the 2011 Rupert Clarke.

To give you an idea of how much wiggle room Smart Missile has ratings wise, the highest figure achieved since Exceed And Excel was in 2007 with Barely A Moment at 117, but this year's renewal does look quite a deal stronger, on paper at least.   

We all saw Smart Missile last start lose his undefeated mantle in the G1 Golden Rose and the colt was colossal in finishing second after as much as possible could and did go wrong in the race.

There was enough grumpiness to go around after the race by both rider and punters to last the entire Spring.

The colt by Fastnet Rock is a born winner with a will to hit the mark each and every time.

With regular rider Glen Boss sidelined through injury, Hong Kong-based Brett Prebble now takes over. They should be a perfect pairing, as they both hate to lose.

But Prebble will earn every cent of his riding fee from the outside stall today but double-digit barriers have not been punished at all in the last quarter of a century and in fact it is fifty-fifty almost.

Many of the winners have had that leader or on-pacer ability, so Prebble may well look at doing something different and go forward from the outset and sit if not on the pace then very near it.

Anthony Cummings prepares Smart Missile and has liked the way the colt has worked at Caulfield the anti-clockwise way of going since coming down from Sydney, with Glen Boss reporting the colt rails like a greyhound.

I see not too many leaders or on pacers at all and Prebble could slide over early and sit perfectly poised knowing at 53kg whatever beats him will win.

He could come over with a possible pacemaker in Master Of Design , which led and held them all of last start to win the G2 Sebring Sprint (1300m) last start at Rpsehill.

Master Of Design has a master Timeform rating of 112, but weight adjusted does lay serious claims.

Damien Oliver rides Master Of Design and he likes this race, with his first ever G1 victory coming in it in 1990 with Submariner, when the event was called the Show Day Cup and the winner was trained by Bart Cummings.

Oliver will be shooting for a lucky seventh on Saturday in the race and will need all his guile to get his mount to manage the 1400m for the first time.

Woorim , which placed third in the race last year under 54.5kg, has to handle 57.5kg this time but he can and does have a nice soft draw plus not many close as powerfully as he can.

Woorim comes into the race with a master Timeform rating of 119 but with scope for more to come.

I was impressed with his fresh up win two weeks ago at Moonee Valley, where he came with a crunching burst under 60.5kg over 1200m and the Queenslander looks in magnificent order.

He has however only won once before second up but trainer Robert Heathcote is sticking too what he knows best and Woorim placed in this race last spring in such a state.

Pinwheel  is another of the older horses in form that have to overcome a weight issue in the race this century but he is in the right order to do so.

His master Timeform rating of 121 puts him in the same target area of Smart Missile, albeit the outer bands, and gate eight is an acceptable barrier but he has 58kg.

He can carry that no worries having won over 1400m two starts back under 59kg albeit track conditions and core fitness helping that day but giving the top gun colt 5kg is another matter, plus history might also play against him.

It does look like Woorim and Pinwheel will be the second and third elects in the race betting wise behind the headline grabbing colt Smart Missile.

Bettors looking for a runner with upside need glance no further than the four-year-old Blackie , which at 53.5kg does look a chance for trainer Michael Kent and Nick Hall will ride.

The lightly tried gelding went superb fresh up for second to Woorim a fortnight ago, where he got 4.5kg from the winner and the same will apply here.

He was luckless at the Valley and a key fact is being unbeaten second up plus the former New Zealand prepared galloper handles it dry and wet.

I see Kent still has him nominated for the Cups and Cox Plate, so really does like this horse and clearly has big spring plans for the current master Timeform rater of 112.

Hall is the son of the big race jockey Greg Hall, who would get the job done at G1 and answer any questions later, and Hall Snr won this race a quarter of a century ago aboard a gifted four-year-old mare called Canny Lass.

The reason this has relevance is the trainer of it was Rick Hore-Lacy, who has two runners on Saturday in Toorak Toff  and the evergreen Pinnacles .

Both are well drawn and Toorak Toff is the one that I see as worth including in your multiples with Craig Williams to ride the four-year-old entire.

Williams rode the Rupert Clarke winner Response last year and will be looking to retain his crown, while Toorak Toff I thought went sensational fresh up in the G3 Bobbie Lewis for fifth beaten just over a length.

He had trialled up a treat twelve days before resuming and not much has gone his way since last spring, with only a handful of starts.

It may prove to be a blessing in disguise and remember this is the 2010 Golden Rose winner, a race he won second up over 1400m.

Hore-Lacy has trained some thunderous thoroughbred power and is in his own right a stallion-making trainer, with Redoute's Choice his pedestal performer.

He also trained Canny Lad and as mentioned earlier the full sister in Canny Lass, a three time G1 winner herself.

Video watchers may also have noted just how unlucky Dreamaway  was fresh up at Flemington, when rider William Pike had a lapful of mare in the long run home but traffic all around.

She went to the post hard held and in fact forcibly restrained the closing stages, so beware the mare that drops 2kg here and is still on a Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup path.

This is “D” day for Smart Missile. He looks the winner bad barrier and all.

We could well see a more tractable Smart Missile left-handed too and for the opposition that is just plain scary, as the boom when he is detonated in the Caulfield run home will be simply deafening.

Plenty of respect for Woorim and Pinwheel, with upside seen in Blackie and the likely best backed late runner being Toorak Toff.

Enjoy the race.  

Smart Missile, Prinsengracht launch from outside

Gun Sydney three-year-old Smart Missile needs to overcome the visitor's draw to give trainer Anthony Cummings his second Group I Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes win in three years.

The same day the barrier confirmed Smart Missiles launching pad on Saturday, Cumming's saddled up 50-1 outsider Prinsengracht for Gerry Harvey at Warwick Farm.

The well bred gelding, a half relation to Shamekha, was ridden by Nash Rawiller who was finding it difficult to remember the last time he rode a horse at similar odds and won.

"I can't remember the last time I rode a 50/1 winner but I have ridden some horses that should have been 50/1," Rawiller said.

Rawiller was complementary of the horses ability afterwards, "Going around to the gates I knew straight away that he was going to be competitive, he just felt like a good horse. 

"We had a soft run throughout and I wasn't sure how he would sprint but he really let go once I brought him to the outside."

Prinsengracht will continue moving through his grades, with this being his first racing preparation.

Meanwhile, Cummings declared Smart Missile, who has eased from $3 to $3.20 favouritism with TAB Sportsbet, may need a "ton of luck" after he drew the outside barrier in the 17-horse field for Saturday's Caulfield feature.  

"I definitely think the race is within his capability, but the barrier makes it a bit more interesting," Cummings said.  

"I was going to say he just needs a touch of luck, but from the draw maybe it is a ton of luck.  

"At some stage I will have my heart in my mouth, but hopefully it turns out well."  

Cummings won the race two years ago with Turffontein, who was ridden by Smart Missile's jockey Glen Boss.  

Smart Missile would emulate Encosta De Lago, the last horse to win from the outside barrier. He had gate 18.  

Encosta De Lago (1996) is also one of four three-year-olds to win the race since 1995. Our Maizcay (1995), Testa Rossa (1999) and Exceed And Excel (2003) are other recent three-year-old winners.  

Smart Missile had his first defeat in four starts when an unlucky second to Manawanui in the Group I Golden Rose (1400m) two weeks ago.  

However, he remains the only horse to have beaten champion youngster Sepoy.  

Cummings said the son of Fastnet Rock had adapted well to training anti-clockwise in Melbourne and was confident it wouldn't be an issue under race pressure on Saturday.  

"He's had two gallops at Caulfield and he's in pretty good shape," Cummings said.  

The 1400m start should give an advantage to horses drawn inside, but interestingly 12 of the past 25 winners have come from barrier 10 or wider.  

Cummings Star wins Gloaming

17/09/2011 - Trainer Anthony Cummings and jockey Hugh Bowman were confident of the chances of Strike The Stars in the $200,000 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday but like all the best laid plans it was not quite as simple as that.

Strike The Stars won well but it took Bowman's reworking of the riding plan to achieve the result for the $1.90 favourite.   

The Savabeel gelding stumbled out of the barriers at the 1800m start and was last as the field came off the turn into the back straight.  

The pace was set by Doctor Doom from Sangster while Bowman was third last and well back but stayed on the rails and quietly improved as the field approached the 500m.  

Without having to go around a horse Bowman made ground quickly on the home turn and set off after the leaders at the 400m.  

Doctor Doom was going strongly with a two lengths advantage at the 200m but Bowman had him in his sights and the class of Strike The Stars  was soon evident as he surged past the leader in the last 100m.  

The favourite, a maiden going into the Group 2 event, speared away to win by three quarters of a length from a brave Doctor Doom with King's Pact well back in third, 3.5 lengths away.  

Cummings was naturally pleased that he now has one of the favourites for the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 1 although quietly regretting that Strike The Stars was not entered for the Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.  

However he was also mindful that Strike The Stars is in his first preparation and commented with a wry smile that he might not have trusted himself to press ahead for a Cox Plate start if the horse held an entry.  

“At the end of the day I did not want to go down that path and rather than be tempted I just left him out as I understand myself enough to know that I would have gone there,” he said  

“He is an above average three-year-old stayer.  

“He was bred to be a mile and a quarter horse and what he has done today has basically fulfilled that potential. It was all credit to him what he was able to do over shorter courses, so pretty happy.  

“He is a really good horse and he is going places.  

" I would be disappointed if he was not hard to beat in the Spring Champion Stakes."  

Bowman said he was uncertain what made Strike The Stars blunder as the gates opened.  

“I do not know if he caught the front heels of the horse beside me or if he did it on his own, but the plan was to be handy and I had to reassess,” said Bowman.  

“He was good but we were confident and he was entitled to do what he did.   

"Even though the winner skipped, once I got out after it my horse was always going to catch him. He is a very nice horse."  

Cummings signed for Strike The Stars, out of the Last Tycoon mare Ambitious, at the 2010 Easter Sale for $80,000 and says he plans to spell the 3YO after the Champion Stakes.  

Strike The Stars firmed in betting for the Spring Champion Stakes and also the G1 Caulfield Guineas at Caulfield on October 8.  

Prior to his win Strike The Stars was a $7.50 chance in the Spring Champion but his price came in to $5.50 with TAB Sportsbet.  

Other price changes after the Gloaming saw Sangster ease from $13 out to $35, Cocky Raider ($13 out to $35) and Doctor Doom ($26 into $13).   

Strike The Stars had his price for the Caulfield Guineas come in from $26 to $21.

Smart Missile targets Rupert Clark

15/9/2011 - The Anthony Cummings trained three-year-old colt Smart Missile is being thrown straight into another pressure event with the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) against older horses at Caulfield on September 24 his next target.  

The colt is now in Melbourne after travelling down on Tuesday night and Cummings and owners Gooree Stud have decided to bypass the traditional Melbourne lead-up race to the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude also on September 24.  

Smart Missile  was second in last Saturday's Group 1 Golden Rose over 1400m at Rosehill after he encountered interference at the 600m when Foxwedge crowded Helmet, who in turn was forced onto Smart Missile on the rails.  

The Fastnet Rock colt then did not run truly in the main straight drifting out under Glen Boss when chasing the winner Manawanui throwing away any lingering chances he had of taking out the important Group 1 for three-year-olds.  

“He arrived in Melbourne yesterday morning and he had a look around the grass track there at Caulfield this morning and got on the right leg quite well and he seemed comfortable, so everything is going according to plan,” said Cummings.  

“He will have a look (at the main Caulfield track) on Saturday morning, and again on Tuesday, and I think that will be comfortable enough for him for the following Saturday,” he said.  

Cummings said the decision to race in the Sir Rupert Clarke over the Guineas Prelude as purely that it was a Group 1 race.  

Smart Missile has raced just four times winning the listed Breeders Plate over 1000m at Randwick, the Group 2 Todman Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill, the Group 3 Run To The Rose over 1200m at Rosehill and the second in the Group 1 last Saturday.

Derby winner steps out of the Shadows

15/9/2011 - South Australian Derby winner Shadows In The Sun steps out at Caulfield on Saturday for his first up run of the new season. He will take part in the Pin and Win for Epilepsy Handicap over 1400m. He has drawn poorly in barrier fifteen, however with a nmination in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups we will simply be looking for him to be running on nicely at the end. 

Emerald Downs acts as Shadow's foil and backs up after a fourth placing last Saturday at Moonee Valley. Her previous run, beating the older horses at Rosehill, should see her right in the mix here and will give her a perfect lead into the 1,000 Guineas on the 12th of October.

Stable warming into Spring

15/9/2011 - After a strong run of form for the Anthony Cummings stable over recent weeks, Anthony is looking forward to further success as the spring moves ever closer to Melbourne. With a confident win by Morocco on Wednesday at Newcastle - a horse being aimed at the VRC Derby - as well as a fighting second by Home On A Wing in Thursday's Newcastle Gold Cup the stable is hopeful of another fruitful trip to Rosehill having bagged a double at the last two meetings in Sydney's west.

Strike The Stars lines up in the Gloaming over 1800m after a very impressive third placing in the Chelmsford Stakes, run at Weight For Age and against older horses. He goes into Saturday's run on the back of some very pleasing track work and should be hard to beat.

Houston Benefactor takes aim at the Tea Rose stakes over 1500m and is out to prove her standing as one of the top three year old fillies in Sydney. Having drawn awkwardly in barrier eight (of eleven) won't hinder her tactics too much with her usual preference to run-on late.

Red Lord will take part in Saturday's Bill Ritchie handicap (1400m) and would be a sentimental win with Julia Ritchie, Bill's daughter, having a controlling share in the horse.

Dealer Principal heads for the Hill Stakes over 1900m, a race for which he has had minor success in past years, having run second in the 2008 edition. The step up in distance will suit and we are confident that while he may still need the run, he will be showing some of his old form.

Sir Fox rounds out the Sydney team as he steps out for the first time this prep. He comes in off the back of a promising campaign when last in work and we are hopeful of more success here. He has impressed in work leading into the race and being down in the weights only helps his cause in a strong field.

Cummings to Strike The Stars in Gloaming

12/9/2011 - Stallion prospects Smart Missile and Helmet have pulled up well from the roughhouse Golden Rose but their trainers are focused on different races with their staying three-year-olds this week.

Anthony Cummings and Peter Snowden were pleased to report no lingering effects for their main charges from the weekend.

''Helmet's fine,'' Snowden said as he looked forward to entering Ming Dynasty winner Ambidexter in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Wednesday, and Anise in Saturday's Tea Rose Stakes.  

Cummings reported Smart Missile was fit and well yesterday but said he was still coming to terms with the Golden Rose defeat.

''I think I might get over it by the end of the spring,'' he said. ''He still needs to win his group 1, and that is the fact that hurts.''

Cummings will miss Newcastle with Chelmsford Stakes placegetter Strike The Stars , which he has opted to step up to 1800 metres in Saturday's Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.

''I just think that suits him better,'' Cummings said. ''That's why I ran him as a maiden in the [Chelmsford] Stakes at the mile, and I haven't changed my thinking. The Gloaming fits better for him.''

Hugh Bowman has been engaged to ride the Chelmsford placegetter on Saturday and should continue the strong association he has had with the stable over recent weeks.

Smart Missile Off To Melbourne  

11/9/2011 - Anthony Cummings says the difference between Smart Missile winning and losing the Golden Rose came down to a split-second decision at the start.  

"When everything became untidy at the start, Bossy (jockey Glen Boss) changed his mind," Cummings said.  

"We had planned to be a lot more forward than where we ended up.  

"He's run the best sectional (600 metres), he's run the best race but the best ride won the day."  

While Boss found himself at the back of the six-horse field, Glyn Schofield took the eventual winner Manawanui to the front.  

It was a winning move as Smart Missile and second favourite Helmet became involved in a scrimmage caused by Foxwedge shifting to take a run where stewards said there was no room.  

Adding to the Smart Missile camp's woes was the colt's erratic finish as he drifted to the outside of the track as he tried to haul in the winner.  

"I'm not too concerned about that," Cummings said. "He was under a lot of pressure because he had to make a long chase from where he was."  

All that was of little consolation to Cummings and he will send Smart Missile to Melbourne confident a Group One win will come in next month's Caulfield Guineas.  

"At least on that run today we know 1400 (metres) and a mile (1600m) won't be an issue," he said.  

"His first run in Melbourne will either be the Guineas Prelude or the Rupert Clarke Stakes and we'll work it out from there."  

Gybe To Good in Sheraco Stakes

10/9/2011: The Anthony Cummings-trained Gybe picked up a well deserved second black type victory with a win in the $100,000 Listed Blackwoods Sheraco Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.  

The daughter of Fastnet Rock won the listed Gimcrack Stakes on debut but since has done well in weaker grade and failed to flatter at black type grade, until Saturday.  

Ridden by Glen Boss, Gybe  jumped well from an inside draw and settled fourth some handful of lengths behind runaway leaders Plantinum Skye and Solar Charged with Phenomenal Lass four lengths away in third.  

Rounding the turn there was still plenty of ground to make up, and it was Phenomenal Lass  who was first to pick up while Solar Charged hit a brick wall, Platinum Skye kept kicking and Gybe was making ground along the inside.  

At the 250m Phenomenal Lass caught Platinum Skye but Gybe was hitting top gear and over the final half furlong Boss threw plenty at his mount who responded in fine style, getting the better of Phenomenal Lass to score.  

The margin was a half neck with a another half neck to Ofcourseican  who flew late to grab the minor spot. The overall time was 1.03.80 with the last 600m run in 34.64.  

“She came out and won the Gimcrack as a two-year-old, didn't come back as an autumn two-year-old but has been around the place since then,” Cummings said.  

“She has three good wins over the winter then had a freshen-up at the farm and she has been able to come here to today and step up to this grade.

“I thought I would keep here to 1100m and after Bossy's comments last time blinkers seemed the logical thing to do with her.  

“It looked a good race with good speed, she can sit on the speed and kick so it was a good result.”  

Boss's suggestion to add blinkers made plenty of difference from her last start but the jockey was full of praise of the toughness of his filly.  

“This filly didn't really travel the other day, her finishing speed is very good but she struggled to keep in contact with them the other day so it was a good plan to put the blinkers on because it helped her track up,” Boss said.  

“When she let go she was very genuine and very very strong to the line.  

“The track is probably a touch better outwide, probably a little bit worn but that is how the cards fell for me and by the time I got to the 100m I was getting out there on a tough genuine filly.”  

Gybe, inside, fights back to claim a well deserved stakes win on Saturday.

Red Eye Special flies into Metrop contention

10/9/2011 - Anthony Cummings praised champion jockey Glen Boss' ride on Red Eye Special after the former New Zealand gelding took another step towards the Group One Metropolitan with victory at Rosehill on Saturday.  

Boss, who was in Sydney to partner the Cummings-trained Smart Missile in the $1 million Golden Rose, was able to get Red Eye Special across from a wide gate (11) to be midfield and one off the fence settling down in the Styletread.com.au Handicap (1900m).  

Boss then got going three wide with cover when the pace slackened mid-race, and Red Eye Special ground down his rivals in the straight to defeat Mossamine by a short neck with a half-head to Saint Saiala.  

"He's brought his A-game," Cummings said of Boss.  

"It was either get in where he did or be four deep in a horrible position. He then tracked the grey horse (Spence) into the race and he was too good.  

"It was an intelligent ride and a good result. This horse is going somewhere."  

Red Eye Special, a five-year-old son of Yamanin Vital, was having just his second start for Cummings after doing his early racing in New Zealand.  

The gelding is nominated for all the spring features with the Group One Metropolitan his first main target.  

"I'll have a look and see how he does, he probably needs another one to get a strong mile and a half (2400m)," Cummings said.  

"It is two weeks until the Colin Stephen and then it's a week to the Metrop. That's what I'm probably looking at. He's a nice horse."  

The Group Three Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) is at Rosehill on September 24 with the Group One Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1.

Boss needs to bring his A game: Cummings     

9/9/2011 - A SELECT group of six three-year-olds line up in tomorrow's intriguing Golden Rose at Rosehill and trainer Anthony Cummings says it is time for Glen Boss to earn his keep.

Cummings and Boss combine with unbeaten hotpot Smart Missile which, along with Helmet, Foxwedge and the untapped Manawanui and Aeronautical, chases the $1 million prize pool.

Throw in outsider Flight Of Pegasus and the first group 1 of the season is set to be a cat-and-mouse tactical duel over the Rosehill 1400 metres.  

''Small fields are always tricky, Ajax did get beat at 33-1 on,'' Cummings said. ''You've got to give respect to your opposition otherwise you get belted. The speed will either come from Foxwedge or Helmet, given the barriers. That's the way it looks and we'll see how it plays out. Glen Boss has to earn his money.''

Boss was criticised by some for his previous ride on Smart Missile. 

Blinkers have been fitted to dual group 1 winner Helmet and Darley Stud's retained jockey, Kerrin McEvoy, is not about to give up his hand. ''My horse has led and sat up handy before,'' McEvoy said. ''We'll see what happens when the barriers open, but I won't be worried if we land in front. It just depends on how quick Foxwedge goes, I wouldn't think they'll go crazy stepping up to the 1400 metres.''

Foxwedge split Smart Missile and Helmet a fortnight ago at Rosehill when finishing second in the Run To The Rose. Foxwedge, which resumed to win the San Domenico Stakes before that effort, has again drawn the ace and trainer John O'Shea has engaged New Zealand whiz-kid James McDonald.

''[Foxwedge] sat third in a fast run race the other day and had to cart them up to the flyer, Karuta Queen,'' O'Shea said. ''There is a significant gear change there with Helmet, his natural pattern of racing as a two-year-old was to lead.''

O'Shea said Foxwedge's forte was his ability to race close to the pace and ''box seat''. 

''He can run home in [the] low 34-seconds [range] for the last 600 metres and if he can get a kick down the straight, it is going to be interesting,'' O'Shea said. TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said ''punters are only interested in two runners, Helmet and Smart Missile'' with the latter ''commanding 60 per cent of the total investment on the race since we put the market up months ago''.

''He opened $5.50, was as long as $2.20 last Saturday, but has firmed all week,'' Munsie said. ''The biggest bet since the barrier draw was $10,000 at $1.75 on Wednesday afternoon. There was also $6000 on Helmet at $4.60.'' 

TAB Sportsbet has a liability of just on $200,000 with Smart Missile.

''He must be a question mark,'' Munsie said. ''He has never had two runs in a preparation. He has gone like a bomb first-up and has to come out and do it second-up. With Helmet drawn to the outside and the blinkers on for the first time, remembering he is not the kindest-going horse, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go forward.

''Helmet, Foxwedge and Manawanui are the go-forward horses, Smart Missile will be last and Aeronautical will be with him.'' 

''It is an enormous jump in class for Manawanui and Aeronautical, and while Foxwedge has shown he is a fraction below them, he is a very good horse, but Smart Missile has beaten him twice.'' 

Cummings is wary the 1400m could be run at a ''different speed'', perhaps become a sit-and-sprint affair. Smart Missile won't be giving away ''six and eight lengths, he'll be giving them a maximum of three''.

Shadow West books her place in Flight  

8/9/2011 - The Anthony Cummings trained Shadow West made easy work of her rivals yesterday at Canterbury, claiming an impressive win in the Grand Pavilion Handicap over 1200m.

Cummings tried Shadow West in the Silver Shadow Stakes last time round but the filly was involved in a scrimmage early and then got bogged down in the heavy ground.

While Shadow West failed to beat a runner home in the group race she rebounded here despite wobbling round the home bend, to win in style. '

'She is a full sister to my derby winner Shadows In The Sun,'' Cummings said. ''It is a very good pedigree and she'll head to the Flight Stakes now.''

Vader Uses Force in Breakthrough

1/9/2011 - Vader scored an overdue maiden win yesterday in the Rosehill Gardens on Facebook Handicap over 1900m at Canterbury, breaking through after a frustrating run of placings.

His previous start was a forgive effort on wet ground at Randwick where he finished sixth behind Two For Tea. Back on top of the ground at Canterbury he was able to settle back off a good tempo and run on strongly - fending off a late challenge from Done Nothin' Wrong as well as the fast finishing Splendid Honours to score by a short half head.

It was his first win from thirteen starts and is a pleasing result for owner John Shine AO, a long time supporter of the stable.

His win continues the good run the stable is enjoying and with the Spring carnival beginning to heat up Vader may have his chance at a nice race through the season.

Vader, centre, scores at Canterbury yesterday.

An unerring Missile hits the Rose for Gooree Stud   

28/8/2011 - Champion jockey Glen Boss declared Smart Missile's remarkable performance to win Saturday's Group Three Run To The Rose at Rosehill as the birth of a superstar.  

The unbeaten colt, who Boss declared the best three-year-old he's ridden and one of the best horses he's thrown a leg over, gave his high-class rivals a big start but produced an outstanding finishing burst to have connections struggling for superlatives.  

Making his first race day appearance since he was dramatically scratched at the barriers in the Golden Slipper in April, Smart Missile ($1.70 fav) rounded up San Domenico Stakes winner Foxwedge ($4.60) in the final few bounds to win the 1200m feature by a neck with dual Group One winner Helmet ($6) another length away third in a thrilling contest.  

Karuta Queen ($11) set her rivals a chase and finished just over two lengths away in fourth place.  

"He's quite possibly one of the best horses I've probably ever thrown a leg over," Boss, who has ridden many superstars including winning three Melbourne Cups on champion Makybe Diva, said.  

"When he got sight of the bunny it was almost arrogant the way he came up to the other horse.  

"You've got to give him credit, he's only had three runs.  

"Gee he is an exciting horse, I just don't know what he ran his last split in - it was Usain Bolt."  

There had been plenty of talk about Smart Missile's return leading up to the Run To The Rose and the colt stood up when it came time to deliver after being about eight lengths off the lead at the top of the straight.  

Boss hooked the son of Fastnet Rock to the outside and it wasn't until inside the final 200 metres that he really started to charge after his rivals to claim his third win from as many starts.  

"You've seen the birth of a superstar today, he's something special," Boss said.  

The Anthony Cummings-trained colt's performance saw his Golden Rose quote on TAB Sportsbet tightened to $2.30 favouritism ahead of Helmet at $5 with Foxwedge and Manawanui at $8.  

Cummings had been quoted in the lead-up to the race as saying he would be surprised the day Smart Missile was beaten and admitted at the 200m mark he was "nearly surprised" as he had all but given up hope of victory.  

"He's just an amazing animal," Cummings said.  

John O'Shea, who prepares runner-up Foxwedge, couldn't fault his charge's performance and expects the colt to improve again in the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10.  

"We're very proud of our horse, he has run very well," O'Shea said.  

"The time they have run has given up how well they went."  

The winning time was a class record 1:10.50 for the 1200m on a track rated a slow (6).

Emerald Downs shows better judgment than her jockey, who's the Boss   

28/8/2011 - Emerald Downs Shows Cummings Faith In Family

Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings has taken a shine to the Dr Grace mare Spirit of Grace and not without reason as his stable has had success with her progeny all the way to the ultimate heights of Group 1 success.

On Saturday at Rosehill the mare's Churchill Downs three-year-old filly Emerald Downs won her second race from just four starts to commence her new season campaign, and while neither Cummings nor jockey Glen Boss, were predicting that she will reach Group 1 level, she might will fashion a very tidy race record on the evidence of the win.  

Racing in the $70,000 Keune Handicap Bm85 (1100m) for fillies and mares Emerald Downs (53kg) settled in fourth for Boss from barrier three as a charge for the lead ensued up front between Phenomenal Lass, Gorgeous Amelia and Hollyweird.  

Phenomenal Lass won that battle and took the field into the main straight with a 2L lead. Boss kept Emerald Downs three wide for clear running room and he sent the filly off after the leader.  

With 125m to run Emerald Downs swept past the tiring Phenomenal Lass and it looked as if the filly would run away from the field. However, Brenton Avdulla on Grahame Begg's Not A Single Doubt mare United Harmony was travelling very well down the outside and with every stride they made inroads into the lead of Emerald Downs.  

The last two strides were very close with Emerald Downs surviving by a nose as she had her head down at the crucial line. Girls Go Racing was third, the margin 3/4L.  

The time was 1.04.94 on the Slow 6 track with the final 600m in 35.02. Emerald Downs paid $5.90 on NSW TAB.  

Cummings recalled that his first purchase of Spirit of Grace's progeny was the Redoute's Choice mare Lady Gracious, with the second the dual Group 1 winner Turffontein, by Johannesburg. He has subsequently returned the Blue Gum Farm draft at the Premier Sale to purchase an Elvstroem, who is maturing, a Danzero colt, Emerald Downs and earlier this year her full brother.  

Emerald Downs cost $135,000, and Cummings went to $200,000 for the full-brother.  

“It was a margin and that was all I needed,” he said of the close finish.  

“She is a very nice filly and she has a good spring in front of her and she will now go back to her own year now. Quality filly and a good future,” he added.  

Cummings said that he will keep Emerald Downs to sprinting commenting that on Saturday 1100m was only just enough to secure the win, but that further in her career he might see if she would stretch to 1400m.  

“I think I probably exposed her too soon but I thought the top-weight would run to the line and I got to her quickly and then it stopped,” said Boss.  

“She was vulnerable first up and she did a good job to hang on. She has always possessed good talent but she was tiny last preparation and she was lucky to get a win and second at Mornington. She is a really nice filly and I do not know what stage she will get to, but she has the ability to put herself into the race and a good turn of foot,” he said.  

Cummings has a share in Emerald Downs through his Anthony Cummings Thoroughbreds Syndicate, along with co-owners N Grant-Taylor, J Kleimeyer, D Garozzo, J Green, K Cooper, S Paine, D Casey, P C Racing and Vines Folly Syndicate.  

After the four races she has her two wins, the second and stakes now of $145,363.  

Stable Revs Up for A Major Spring Assault

25/8/2011 - After a solid start to season 2011/2012 the Anthony Cummings Racing stable is growing in confidence that the upcoming Spring Carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne could hold some great milestones. A strong three year old crop will see Anthony's charges compete in all the best classic races of the season, with depth across the board from sprinters to stayers. This depth in the stable has been cultivated by Anthony for the last few years and with Group One success last season thanks to old stager Zavite (Ranvet - WFA G1 2000m) and Shadows In The Sun (South Australian Derby - G1 2500m) breaking through for Anthony's first Derby success, the stable is confident of making further inroads in Group 1 racing this season.

The stable has enjoyed winners and second placings at nearly every meeting that our horses have been engaged in thus far, of which many are nominated for classics and and other feature group racing through the carnival. Houston Benefactor broke through at her last start and is heading towards the Flight stakes and 1,000 Guineas. Similarly the promising Hannah Jane won well at Gosford earlier this month and is nominated for the 1,000 Guineas. The maturing Home On A Wing and Kerchings, both recent winners, are starting to flourish and will have their chance to impress over the carnival. Many Stars, a first start winner at Hawkesbury last week showed the kind of ability that will see him contest some of the better group races both in Sydney and Melbourne in the coming weeks.

Other flag bearers include Smart Missile, the unbeaten conqueror of last seasons Golden Slipper winner Sepoy. He begins his Spring campaign this saturday in the Run To The Rose over 1200m. His Spring targets are the Golden Rose (1400m), The Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and with a nomination in the Cox Plate there is every chance we may see him attempt to emulate the recent feat of So You Think to win Australasia's Weight For Age Championship. Strike The Stars is a talented three year old that has been unlucky at his first few forays into racing and he will be aimed at a Spring Champion Stakes/Victoria Derby preparation with the stable confident he can measure up. Gybe has been a consistent performer over the winter months after claiming stakes success at her first start as a two year old.  She will be kept to sprinting assignments this time in and we are sure she is not far from another stakes win through the carnival. 

There are more names to mention, with up and comers like Lucha Libre and Fontelina as well as more familiar names like Dealer Principal, to list only a few. For all our carnival horses we wish their owners all the best and look forward to sharing the joy of  winning in this exciting period. In all we are excited about the prospects for a strong Spring this year and urge you to keep an eye on Anthony Cummings as the very best of Australian racing kicks off .

Houston; We have a winner!

10/8/2011 - Enigmatic Encosta de Lago filly Houston Benefactor cast off maiden status with a well deserved win at Canterbury on Wednesday, ending a frustrating run of minor placings.  

The talented chestnut has tested the patience of trainer Anthony Cummings with her poor barrier manners in the past and tardy getaways have stood between her and victory on more than one occasion.

With a recent barrier trial to tune her up, Houston Benefactor was expected to produce her A game at Canterbury today and despite a slight hiccup at the start, all went according to plan.  

She jumped cleanly, albeit up in the air, but was quickly encouraged into stride by Glynn Schofield, who produced the filly in the straight with a well timed run to win the 1100 metre dash by more than a length.  

"At this time of year you expect these maidens to be strong and we’re hoping she will take the next step now she’s got that win behind her,” said Anthony Cummings.   

Houston Benefactor had placed in three of her five previous starts and was last seen when fifth in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes behind Helmet.  

"Today was a big improvement and Glynn rode a sensible race and she did the rest," Cummings said.  

"She’ll go to the Princess Series now and can hopefully make her presence felt.”  

A $250,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Vinery draft at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Houston Benefactor (pictured as a yearling) is raced by Kevin Maloney’s Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia.  

Bred by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud, Houston Benefactor is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to champion Kiwi filly Princess Coup and is one of two winners from the Last Tycoon (IRE) mare Sovereign Duchess, who is a half-sister to Princess Coup.  

Also by champion sire Encosta de Lago, Princess Coup won 12 races and $2.9 million including the Group I Kelt Capital Stakes twice and the NZ Oaks, so connections will be hoping Houston Benefactor may follow in her footsteps.  

Houston Benefactor back for Spring Series

9/8/2011 - Stakes-placed Houston Benefactor will use a midweek maiden at Canterbury as a stepping stone towards the lucrative Princess Series during the Sydney spring carnival.  

The three-year-old returns from a spell in Wednesday's TJ's Champagne Bar Maiden Plate (1100m) and trainer Anthony Cummings is confident the filly can kick off her campaign on the right note before stepping up to stronger company.  

"She trialled well last week and looks to have come back in good order," Cummings said.  

"Her work is up to the right standard, she looks pretty well placed in a maiden such as she's in tomorrow and if we get what we expect out of that she'll go on to the Princess Series."  

The Princess Series for three-year-old fillies comprises four races starting with the Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm on August 20.  

The Group Two Furious Stakes (1400), Group Two Tea Rose Stakes (1500m) and Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) complete the series.  

Houston Benefactor raced five times as a two-year-old and was unlucky not to get a win on the board at Canterbury on March 9 when she blew the start by several lengths but still flashed home to be only narrowly denied in a photo-finish by Exceed And Exalt.  

Houston Benefactor was sent back to the barrier trials and, after passing her barrier test, returned to the races and finished third in the Listed Keith Mackay (1200m) at Randwick.  

A fifth placing in the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) brought Houston Benefactor's autumn preparation to a close.  

"She was pretty unlucky not to have broken her maiden status a couple of times last preparation and she's already stakes-placed, so plainly she's got the talent to at least handle a maiden," Cummings said.  

Glyn Schofield partnered the daughter of Encosta De Lago in a pleasing barrier trial hitout at Randwick last Friday and has the ride at Canterbury.  

Schofield returns to the saddle on Wednesday after serving an eight-meeting careless riding suspension.  

Among Houston Benefactor's rivals at Canterbury will be the Gerald Ryan-trained Fast Shanti who is set to make her debut.  

Fast Shanti is a full-sister to Group winner Rothesay.  

The Fastnet Rock filly was due to make her debut at Hawkesbury late last month but was balloted out of the race Ryan had earmarked for her.  

Gybe makes it two on the trot

9/7/2011 - Talented filly Gybe was well backed and equally well ridden to victory by star kiwi apprentice James McDonald in the $70,000 Rob Woodruff Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.  

Trained by Anthony Cummings, Gybe was well backed from $4.20 into $2.80 favourite with bookmakers and McDonald made sure the plunge came off with a little pearler of a ride.  

Jumping from the second widest draw, McDonald did brilliant to get the well backed favourite one off the fence in fourth position by the time the field settled.  

McDonald held his filly together, two length behind race leader Yoburg and waited for the field to enter the straight before asking for Gybe's best effort.   

Passing the 350m McDonald pulled Gybe out but she didn't respond straight away and Noble Edict (Spriggs), coming from behind Gybe loomed larger on her outside and looked like going straight past.  

Luckily for connections Gybe was just winding up and after changing stride at the 250m she really started to stretch out and after levelling up to the leaders at the 200m Gybe kicked away to score an impressive win.  

At the line there was a margin of three quarters of a length to See The World (Schofield) with a half-length to Noble Edict in third place. The overall time was 1.11.40 with the last 600m covered in 35.37.   

“She was a stakes winner at her first race start and she is showing her quality here by carrying weights against the older horses and she is headed to some of the mare's races during the upcoming spring carnival,” Cummings said.  

“She had run some real nice races since her first-up run without much luck, bad barriers and tracks and she has come back in grade and has really gone on from there.  

“In her first win she come from worse than midfield and was wide that day and it was a great win but today she was a length away and ready to pounce.”  

“She is a nice little filly, she is a half to our superstar filly (Anabandana) in New Zealand, I have won on her so it is nice to be on this one,” McDonald said. “She really accelerated when I asked her and she won really well.  

“I have been really lucky, I have had the support of Anthony and the Hawkes team and others so it has been a good trip over.”  

Gybe  is by Fastnet Rock out of Great Notice (USA) and is a half to star juvenile Anabandana, the first horse to sweep New Zealand's four juvenile features. Gybe is owned Dorrington Farm Synd (Mgr: R J Crabtree), S Morvan, C Jamieson, A Crabtree, M Crabtree, J Wilson & F Ellis.

Clark and Gybe reunite for Randwick Riches

13/6/2011 - The Anthony Cummings trained Fastnet Rock three-year-old filly Gybe was at home in the heavy conditions at Randwick in the Paddington BM 70 (1300m), claiming a strong win with top weight.  

Gybe was coming back in grade from an unplaced run in the Group 3 BTC Classic over 1350m and it allowed her to shine and gain another metro win to go with her debut win in the listed Gimcrack Stakes over 1000m at Randwick in October 2009.  

Clark rode with patience as the filly had top-weight of 58.5kg and he saved ground by racing inside the rest of the field, but still half-way out on the track. He smoothly sent Gybe forward with some 250m to run and although she was challenged on the outside the margin was a long neck on the line which had looked unlikely to be overcome over the closing stages.

Isola (54.5kg, carried 52.5kg) (Hussonet) and apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins claiming 2kg was second with Paramount Pete (53kg, carried 50kg) (Gallo Du Ferro) and apprentice Shaun Guymer claiming 3kg third. The margin was a neck. The time was 1.20.97 and the final 600m in 37.60. Gybe paid $2.90 on NSW TAB as favourite.  

Gybe is out of the Nureyev mare Great Notice and she is owned by Dorrington Farm Syndicate managed by R J Crabtree, S Morvan, C Jamieson, A Crabtree, M Crabtree, J Wilson and F Ellis. She as raced eight times for her two wins and three placings.   

Monday's win was also worth a valuable $36,000 with the $10,000 BOBS bonus included taking Gybe's stakes earnings to $126,730.  

Foxy Family Day Out At Canterbury

17/5/2011 - Dane Fox and Sir Fox gave their owners and breeders a day to Remember at Canterbuty today. Dane Fox has really stepped up this preparation with two wins and a second from his three runs so far and Sir Fox takes another step towards a stakes performance with an excellent win in the last race of the day.

Dane Fox will race in a similar race in the next week or so and Sir Fox will run in a 1400m race at Randwick on the 28th of May as his final lead up to the BRC Queensland Guineas on the 11th of July at Eagle Farm.

Shadows In The Sun Shines In Adelaide  

8/5/2011 - Shadows in the Sun became the first Derby winner for the stable in taking out Anthony's home town Derby in Adelaide today.

A dry track and a canny ride from Ben Melham  saw  Shadows in the Sun deliver on the early promise he had shown with luckless runs in Group 1s as a two year old and in high class racing at three on unsuitably wet tracks.

The win was a great result for breeder and part owner Grahame Mapp and also for the Battese family who have further investments in the family through sisters currently in training with the stable.

Shadows in the Sun will now head off to Queensland in search of firm tracks and further Group One Glory.

Listed Win For Lucha Libre In South Pacific

16/4/2011 - Anthony Cummings-trained filly Lucha Libre has survived a protest to record her first black type win in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick today.

Coming into the event off a debut win at Wyong late last month Lucha Libre did well to handle the considerable class rise and Heavy 10 Randwick track surface in today's Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m).  

Lucha Libre was taken to the front by jockey Craig Williams who despite hanging out badly in the straight managed to hold off a late challenge from Patinack Farm-raced Levi's Choice to win the $100,000 South Pacific Classic by a slender margin.  

Trainer Anthony Cummings has been impressed by Lucha Libre and was pleased with how the three-year-old filly stepped up to this afternoon's task following her debut maiden win in provincial company.  

“She was quite green going into her first run but handled the conditions really well and came away with a strong win,” Cummings said.  

“Since then she has taken some strong steps. She worked really strongly on Monday and gave us enough heart to come into this race.  

“A wet track was always going to be a question mark but obviously she is a very talented filly and is going places.”  

Correct weight was delayed considerably with connections of Levi's Choice protesting the result claiming interference over the concluding stages.  

The protest wasn't without a case as Levi's Choice went down by only a short half head after being forced wide over the concluding stages by Lucha Libre who shifted out considerably during the final furlong.  

The protest was eventually dismissed with the result supporting the thoughts Cummings and jockey Craig Williams had regarding the finish immediately after the event.  

“She did shift a little bit but Jimmy [Cassidy] was still able to ride his mount out strongly to the line so I don't think there is much in it,” Cumming said.  

“She did drift off the track but she felt like she had it pretty comfortable,” jockey Craig Williams said.  

Paul Perry-trained Kirinata also handled a steep class rise to run third in what was a disappointing race for the highly fancied pair of Big Storm and Sea Lord.  

Bart Cummings-trained Big Storm could only manage fifth following his promising first up run when fourth in the Eskimo Prince Stakes last start while Sea Lord never figured and finished a well beaten sixth.  

Lucha Libre has quickly gone about repaying her owners who initially paid $45,000 for the Pins filly at the 2009 NZB Premier Yearling sale.  

Unbeaten from two starts Lucha Libre has won over $70,000 in prizemoney and already boasts a black type victory.

Lucha Libre, centre, survives a prolongued protest to win the listed South Pacific Stakes

Girls Go Wild on Oaks Day

15/4/2011 - The fillies are the order of the day from Anthony Cumming's stable this Saturday, with four of his five runners representing the fairer sex. Those runners include ATC Oaks chance Bride Salama, The Galaxy hopefuly Sister Madly, Keith Mackay Quality competitor Houston Benefactor and South Pacific knockout Lucha Libre. All have drawn well and with the right amount of luck all will be very competitive.

Currently Bride Salama is a $70 chance according to TAB Sportsbet which Anthony believes is "a silly price". "She is a more like a $10 to $15 chance as her work improved following the Adrian Knox last Saturday and now that she gets up to the right distance... She will run really well".

In the James Boag Galaxy Anthony will be represented by last start winner Sister Madly. "She will run very well. She has no weight and is in the right race". 

Houston Benefactor lines up in the Keith Mackay Quality and Anthony is very straight forward about her chances, " You will know your fate early on with her. If she jumps with them she will be very hard to beat".

And rounding out the fillies (but not the team) is Lucha Libre who will compete in the South Pacific Stakes for three year-olds. "She steps up quickly in class, but was an impressive winner first-up and will be sure to make her presence felt".

The stable's other runner for the day is Rhythm Of Dance, the recent acquisition from Gai Waterhouse's stable. "The blinkers go back on and should get the best out of him in this field for a return to winning form". Indeed after a few difficult weekends of racing this line-up has the ability to balance the leger and put a smile on a few faces.

Other runners on the day include Danefox, Dream Alibi, Alchemy and Lake Eerie all of whom will compete at Kembla Grange. Of the four Anthony believes Danefox and Alchemy represent his best chances while the other two continue to build towards the peak of their preparation.

Houston Benefactor runs an unbelievable second at Canterbury last start.

SheMustBeObeyed, and was, on debut

8/4/2011 -She Must Be Obeyed made the best possible start to her racetrack career when she scored a breathtaking debut win at Canterbury tonight.  

A beautifully bred daughter of Commands, She Must Be Obeyed looked a stakes filly in the making as she made light work of the three-year-old contest over 1100 metres.  

A member of the Anthony Cummings stable the filly was purchased by renowned Sydney bloodstock agent Keiran Moore for $190,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale at the Gold Coast.  

The filly was sent out as favourite on the strength of three impressive trial performances - two wins and a second - her most recent a trial win at Randwick on March 4.  

Internationally proven Group One rider Glyn Schofield couldn't help but be impressed with the debut win.  

"She's a very smart filly," Schofield said moments after the race.  

"I didn't really let her go fully. When I did give her some rein I had Hughy (Bowman, Hamish Boy) near me, but then she skipped away and I couldn't hear anyone behind."  

"It was a very soft win. I don't know the winning margin - but it was a very good performance."  

Like Group One winning mares Purple and Russeting, She Must Be Obeyed is a daughter of Danehill's Group winning son Commands.  

She is the second runner for the former quality racemare Yvonne - a triple stakes winning daughter of Last Tycoon.

Smart Missile Out Of Sires  

7/4/2011 - Talented colt Smart Missile is out of Saturday's Group 1 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.  

The colt, prepared by Anthony Cummings, has pulled up sore after working today so won't race again as a juvenile and will go to the paddock for a good spell.  

Smart Missile  won the Breeders Plate on debut last spring before a spell, then returned and scored an upset win in the Todman Stakes over Sepoy.  

The Fastnet Rock colt was second favourite for last weekend's Golden Slipper, subsequently won by Sepoy, but was a late scratching at the barriers.  

He was to have run in this Saturday's 1400m juvenile feature where he was a $3.10 favourite with TAB Sportsbet but after working today Cummings has decided to end his two-year-old season.  

“After pulling up this morning he just wasn't right in his action behind,” Cummings told Sport 927.  

“I've talked to the owners and we've made the decision in the best interests of the horse to take him out (of the Sires) and to bring him back as a three-year-old.  

“He'll have at least two months out and put this behind him then come back for the spring.”

Smart Missile Cleared To Race  

4/4/2011 - Golden Slipper late scratching Smart Missile has been cleared to race at Randwick on Saturday.

Smart Missile was under a barrier ban after his fractious behaviour in the gates led to his late withdrawal from last Saturday's Golden Slipper at Rosehill when he was ruled unfit to start.  

The stewards ruled that Smart Missile had to perform to their satisfaction in jump out or barrier trial before racing again.  

Racing NSW chief steward Ray Murrihy this morning officiated at a jump out contested by Smart Missile at Randwick.  

He has advised that Smart Missile passed the embargo placed on the colt and is now eligible to race in Saturday's Group One ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick.

Smart Missile a late scratching from Golden Slipper

2/4/2011 - The hope of winning The Golden Slipper was wrestled away from Smart Missile and his connections after he was declared a late scratching by the on-course veterinarian, Joe Bruyen.

He was fractious in the gates, causing himself to be strung up with his near-side forearm held up over the barrier petition for over 30 seconds. Unfortunately at the same time the two-way radio and binoculars of Chief Steward, Ray Murrihy, had been stolen from the watch tower thus disabling any communication between the stewards, barrier attendants, vets and the starter. 

The rules of racing state that the on-course vet has the disrcetion to declare a late scratching if a horse is strung up in the gates for an extended period of time.

In the stewards inquiry after the race Mr Cummings stated that "the rule provides for discretion and none was shown" - referring to the lack of any examination of the colt prior to being taking out of the race.

Jockey Glen Boss was visibly angered by the scratching as he "was never given the opportunity" to show his mount to be sound or unsound.

Smart Missle was fine returning to his race-day stall and pulled up in good order this morning.

The stewards placed an embargo on him to the extent that he will need to pass a jump-out at Randwick on Monday morning.

Smart Missile Rockets Home

20/3/2011 - Smart Missile fired into Slipper calculations with a comprehensive victory over Slipper favorite Sepoy in yesterday's Todman Slipper Trial. 

A step slow out of the gates, he travelled comfortably at the rear of the field until approacing the home turn. 

At this point Glen Boss asked him to improve into the race and he immediately had the favorite under pressure for the first time in his racing career.

Smart Missile was a little green under pressure himself before finishing a comfortable threequarters of a length in front on the line, with improvement to come. 

Not seen since racing to another comfortable win in the Breeders Stks over a 1000m at Randwick in the Spring, Smart Missile looks like being the only unbeaten runner going into the Slipper on the 2nd of April.

Zavite Produces His Best Performance - So Far!

20/3/2011 - Zavite took out the G1 Ranvet Stakes over 2000m yesterday at Rosehill, his first Group 1 on Australian soil.

Already a Group 1 winner in New Zealand when he visited the shaky Isles last year to win the Auckland Cup, New Zealand's premier 3200m handicap event, Zavite elavated himself to WFA standard with yesterday's hard fought win.

A brilliant ride by Glen Boss saw Zavite lead from the barriers,a position he maintained until shortly after straightening.

A challenge from Caulfield Cup winner Descarado at the top of the straight saw him momentarily drop to second, but the old dog was not finished with yet!

A length of the straight battle saw Zavite come back and win in a close finish, his tenacity and will to win evident for all to see.

Zavite now goes to the BMW where he was unluckily beaten last year before having another shot at the Sydney Cup on the last day of the Randwick Carnival.

Smart Missile On Track

4/3/2011 - Smart Missile trialled very well at Randwick this morning, running an untroubled second in the fastest heat of the day.

Tim Clark was impressed with his effort and the manner in which he went about his business.

Tim commented that he is now a much stronger horse than when in work last preparation, a preparation that culminated in a comprehensive victory in the Breeders Stks over a 1000m at Randwick.

Smart Missile will have one run leading into the Golden Slipper, the Todman Slipper Trial two weeks before the main event.

Turnstiles On The Way Up

4/3/11 - Turnstiles takes on her toughest asignment to date tomorrow at Warwick Farm but with a winning strike rate at 50% after 10 runs who is to say she can't do it? 

An easy winner at her last start with a handicap weight of 58.5kg, she drops to the minimum here and with an inside draw gets every opportunity to prove herself at stakes level.

Since her return to the stables following three weeks work at Wild Oaks Farm in the water walker she has given every indication of being ready to take that step.

Sister Madly delivers big time  

12/2/11 - Talented mare Sister Madly showed she’s not a non-winner in emphatic fashion when she toyed with her rivals to win the Group III Southern Cross Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.  

The daughter of Jade Tiara, the dam of Hong Kong’s former champion sprinter Silent Witness, flew around the Randwick circuit and stopped the clock on 1.08.59, less than 0.3 seconds outside Northern Meteor’s track record.  

“I had no idea we were going that quick,” winning jockey Rod Quinn said. “She’s got a lovely smooth stride and obviously goes quicker than you realise.”  

Sister Madly went into Saturday’s race with the sole win in her career, but on numerous times she’d shown she was better than average, most notably her placing in last year’s Group I Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.  

“All the things that can go wrong in a race have in the past,” Sister Madly’s trainer Anthony Cummings said.  

“Whether she would have beaten More Joyous in the Flight Stakes or not, she sold out and almost fell at the furlong and then we went to Adelaide, she drew barrier one and there was the strongest bias you have ever seen against the inside.  

“This is a big relief.”  

Sister Madly defeated the Peter Snowden-trained Pinwheel, who found the line hard, with Cardinal Virtue from the David Payne stable finishing in third.  

Cummings said Sister Madly would now be kept to mares races in an attempt to improve her winning ratio before looking at the Group I T J Smith Stakes (1200m on April 9) if the mare’s form “warrants it”.  

What they said – “She did a good job. I reckon if she could learn to settle a bit better it will help her even more,” said winning jockey, Rod Quinn.

Emerald Downs Continues The Sprit of Grace

5/02/11 - Emerald Downs' win last night at Mooney Valley continues the stables successful association with Pat Carol's broodmare Spirit of Grace.

Turffontein has been a most outstanding success and this filly's impressive performance last night ignited memories of his early wins.

Having pulled up very well following her big night out, a shot at the Inglis Premier in ten days time at Mornington is well on the cards. 

New Zealand Results

4/2/2011 - Anthony had a very successful trip to New Zealand, returning home with four new horses for propective owners of the stable. The lineup includes a Tale of the Cat colt, two Fastnet Rock Colts and a Pins filly. The details of these yearlings will be posted on the horses available page.

Lot 19 Tale of the Cat / Royal Celebrity (C) $NZ100k 

Lot 147 Pins / Zabeel's Angel (F) $NZ170k  SOLD

Lot 118 Fastnet Rock / Tivoli Dancer (C) $NZ300k

Lot 462 Fastnet Rock / Northern Night (C) $NZ120k

New Acquisitions from Inglis Classic Sale  

I enjoyed some very good shopping at the Classic sales. There were plenty of good types on offer, few better than the selection below. You can find more details of these on the Horses Available page.

Lot 212 General Nediym / Saints Review (F) $16k SOLD

Lot 333 Flying Spur / Written by a Queen (C) $40k

Lot 455 Hotel Grand / Cryptic Miss (C) $80k SOLD

Lot 507 Choisir / Face of the Earth (F) $60k

Lot 562 Casino Prince / Hearts of Gold (F) $60k

Horses Available Now Online

18/01/11 - We have just updated our Horses Available page to reflect some of the new horses Anthony purchased at the Magic Millions last week so please feel free to look around and inquire as you wish.

While Anthony bought a total of 16 lots for a total of $2,970,000 he has already sold the majority of them, with a few select lots still available for purchase. These lots offer a great opportunity to bolster your stable of horses, or buy into one for the first time. Anthony's buying record, especially at the Magic Millions, is first rate and we are very excited to offer these six horses.

Encosta De Lago ex Coast To The Post - This colt is a close relation to the current 1000m track record holder at Randwick Racecourse, De Lightning Ridge. He has the looks of an early runner with a strong frame, shoulder and deep girth all sure to hold him in very good stead.

More Than Ready ex Irish Truce - This colt is out of a half sister to Shogun Lodge and, much like the colt out of Coast To The Post, has the looks to suggest he will be an early runner. His powerful hind-quarters and long rein promise a very handy galloper.

Commands ex Miss Alabama - This Commands filly is powerfully built, with a thick barrel and depth of shoulder which delivers strength and speed. She will flourish with time but could run as a two year old.

O'Reilly ex Royal Season - This is a striking looking filly who will be at her best over ground. With horses such as Rekindled Interest (MVRC AAMI Vase winner) on her breeding page she could deliver as early as three with an Oaks path beckoning.

Encosta De Lago ex Sarasota - This colt is as tidy as they come, with excellent proportions and the expectation that he will grow into a very nice horse with first class stallion potential.

Exceed And Excel ex Actress - This leggy filly has the speed and stamina in her family to suggest she will be an effective sprinter-miler. She is out of a half sister to High Heels (dam of Desert War) with her fourth dam being sired by Damascus, a very potent relation.

Should you have any inquiries about our horses for sale please call the stable on (02) . At present all of the horses purchased by Anthony are spelling at Secret Hill, with the colts going to Evergreen Stud and the fillies floating to Wild Oaks Farm in two weeks time.

New Acquisitions from Magic Millions  

14/01/11 - The Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast have long been a source of good horses and Anthony has found more than one to follow. 

Beginning on day one Anthony bought eight lots at a total cost of $1,395,000. The top lot of the day was a $240,000 Encosta De Lago colt out of a half sister to the stakes winning mare De Lightning Ridge in Coast To The Post. He is the first foal of Coast To The Post and has the looks and pedigree to suggest he will live up to the best of his family.

Another purchase on the day was lot 19, a Choisir filly out of Best Out West - the same dam of Shadows In The Sun and Shadow West who are both trained by Anthony. Shadow West is a two year old looking to follow in the same footsteps as her older brother Shadows In The Sun - a regular winner and group performer in his own right. This filly has inherited the chestnut coat of her father and we are very excited about seeing her in training.

Another notable addition to the stable is the full brother to Latin News, trained by Anthony's father Bart. By Hussonet out of the mare Email Me, this bay colt fetched $125,000 which looks a steal for a full brother to a Group One placed and Listed Stakes winner. 

Day two saw the sale heat up, with some top priced yearlings going through the ring. Anthony made four purchases including a full brother to our own Miss Darcey, herself an Adrian Knox winner and placed in the AJC Oaks.

Other purchases include a More Than Ready colt out of Irish Truce from the Baramul Stud draft for $120,000 as well as a Commands filly out of Miss Alabama from the Evergreen Stud Farm draft.

The most expensive acquisiton made by Anthony thus far is a $440,000 filly by More Than Ready out of the VATC Sandown Guineas winning mare Moon Dragon. This filly has an impressive breeding page which includes Dansino, Zagreb, Niblick and goes back to Leica Western, Leica Smile and in the fourth dam Leica Ruby - a Half sister to Leica Pretender. With looks that match she has the stamp of a quality individual that we are looking forward to seeing more of.

Day Three (today) has been a little quieter, with only three lots being knocked down. A filly by O'Reilly out of Royal Season for $185,000, a colt by Encosta out of Sarasota for $250,000 and a full brother to Murtajill (Rock Of Gibraltar ex Skating). The O'Reilly filly comes from the Kitchwin draft who's mother has produced two other foals, both of which are winners including Black Type mare Mio Roiale. The colt out of Sarasota (who is a half sister to Fastnet Rock) is a very good mover and looks every bit a three year old that could run at two. Murtajill's full brother is a very nice horse indeed and we are confident he will race up to the best his family has to offer. Overall we are very happy with what we have bought and although the sales are not over we invite you to inquire about our recent purchases. For a full list of purchases see below - full details with pedigree and pictures will be posted on the site early next week. 

Lot 7 Fastnet Rock / Beacon Heights (C) $200k SOLD

Lot 19 Choisir / Best Out West (F) $150k SOLD

Lot 23 Bernadini / Bigw (F) $80k SOLD

Lot 68 Zizou / Clear View (C) $60k SOLD

Lot 70 Encosta De Lago / Coast To The Post (C) $240k

Lot 146 Hussonet / Email Me (C) $125k SOLD

Lot 167 General Nediym / Femme Liberte (F) $150k SOLD

Lot 185 Fastnet Rock / Folk Music (F) $190k SOLD

Lot 245 More Than Ready / Irish Truce (C) $120k

Lot 338 Commands / Miss Alabama (F) $160k

Lot 342 Hussonet / Miss Bussell (C) $160k SOLD

Lot 360 More Than Ready / Moon Dragon (F) $440k SOLD

Lot 481 O'Reilly / Royal Season (F) $185k SOLD

Lot 496 Encosta De Lago / Sarasota (C) $250k

Lot 525 Rock Of Gibraltar / Skating (C) $260k SOLD

Lot 636 Exceed And Excel / Actress (F) $200k SOLD