James Cummings will join Godolphin’s Australian operation with his confidence sky high after giant sprinter Burning Passion won the Group Three WJ Healy Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
Cummings’s solo training career is winding down, with only a handful of runners to come before he takes up the coveted role as Godolphin’s head trainer from July 8 following the resignation of John O’Shea.
Burning Passion ($9) gave Cummings the perfect feature race send-off at Doomben on Saturday when he won the Healy by half a length from Irish Constabulary ($26), with Too Good To Refuse ($7.50) 1-1/4 lengths away in third.
“It’s excellent for James to go out with a bang and the horse has done a super job up here winning at Eagle Farm and taking a Group Three today,” stable spokesman Sean Keogh said.
“All of James’s horses have performed well at this carnival from the opening day and it’s great to finish on a winning note.”
Burning Passion gave jockey Michael Cahill another feature race success after he rode Self Sense to a runaway win in last Saturday’s Ipswich Cup.
Cahill was having his first ride for Cummings on Saturday but enjoyed immense success for James’s grandfather Bart, including the 2009 Tattersall’s Tiara aboard Russeting.
“We had a lovely run behind the leader and when the gap came for him in the straight he sprinted through it and was just too good for them,” Cahill said.
Trainer Desleigh Forster will consider backing up Too Good To Refuse in next Saturday’s Glasshouse Handicap on the Sunshine Coast provided the track is dry.
