Beaten as an odds-on favourite in the Randwick Guineas, Broadsiding has given James Cummings every reason to believe he will make amends when he heads to the middle leg of Sydney’s three-year-old triple crown.
In a race that was run at a much quicker tempo than anticipated, the colt was unable to reel in Linebacker at Randwick, finishing second and a half-length in the winner’s wake.
But while Broadsiding didn’t get the hoped-for result, Cummings said the gruelling assignment had laid an ideal foundation for the three-year-old’s assault on Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
“While he lost the race on the day I thought he ran very well and one thing that fast pace has been able to do is it has been able to bring that horse right on,” Cummings said.
“He has been absolutely humming, Broadsiding, since that Randwick Guineas and he should be perfectly fit for ten furlongs now.”
Godolphin also had the option to bring Broadsiding back in distance and take on the older horses at weight-for-age in the George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
However, Cummings said the chance to stick to his own age group at set weights made too much appeal.
He is also keen to stretch the colt to 2000 metres for just the second time in his career, Broadsiding’s only other attempt at the distance yielding a third placing behind Via Sistina and Japan’s Prognosis in the Cox Plate.
“He did run very quick time in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October despite getting beaten ten lengths by Via Sistina, who was just airborne that day,” Cummings said.
“It took two very good, world-class horses to beat him home.
“We’re not shying away from 2000 metres in March against his own age. I suspect that he gets his opportunity to demonstrate some of his class at 2000 metres and it’s a great test of class, that distance, so the set-up was of great appeal to us.”
Broadsiding has been backed into $1.90 favouritism for the Rosehill Guineas, ahead of Randwick Guineas third placegetter Swiftfalcon ($5), Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru ($5.50) and the lone filly in the race, Aeliana ($7).
