Bart Cummings has hopes of winning his 10th VRC Oaks after successfully reuniting with Darren Beadman to win the Listed Ethereal Stakes with well-bred filly Gliding.
Cummings and Hong Kong-based Beadman have won two Melbourne Cups together with Kingston Rule (1990) and Saintly (1996) and could be set to combine for their first Oaks with the daughter of Flying Spur.
Beadman’s only Oaks winner was Saleous in 1995 but he believes Gliding has the ability to be a serious contender on November 3.
“She will run a mile and a half (2400m) for sure,” Beadman said after Saturday’s win at Caulfield.
“She put herself into the race and travelled very kindly through the run.
“When I let her down she got balanced up and scored a pretty soft win really.”
Gliding ($9) settled fourth and when Beadman peeled out at the top of the straight she was too classy, scoring by 1-1/2 lengths from favourite Dowager Queen ($3) with Gioe ($41) a half-length away third.
Cummings acknowledged Beadman’s ride and said it was good to have him back on one of his horses.
“I am pleased I could get a winner for him,” Cummings said.
A $280,000 Magic Millions yearling, Gliding is a half-sister to five-time Group One winner Eremein whose victories included the AJC Australian Derby, The BMW and Ranvet Stakes.
“(Eremein) won at a mile and half The BMW on a very heavy track at Rosehill at weight-for-age so the pedigree indicates she will stay,” Cummings said.
“She could go on to the Wakeful Stakes (over 2000 metres at Flemington on October 29) and the Oaks.
“It was her first time at a mile and a quarter today (2000m) and she finished off well.”
AAP TURF
