James Cummings would have loved for Cascadian to have raced at Ascot ahead of Saturday’s Northerly Stakes, but he is hoping his inexperience is offset by his tendency to spark up for a first interstate assignment.
The imported galloper is favourite for Saturday’s 1800-metre weight-for-age Group 1, which will be his first Australian start outside New South Wales or Victoria.
Cummings concedes that is of some concern against a top field of locals, headed by star three-year-olds Amelia’s Jewel and Bustler, along with Railway Stakes winner Trix Of The Trade, but he is expecting a strong showing at his first start since his slashing Champions Mile fifth placing.
“He hasn’t had a lead-up run in Perth and that can often work against the eastern states’ raiders in a Northerly Stakes,” Cummings said.
“He does tend to run a very good race at his first run when he goes interstate. His first runs in Melbourne or back in Sydney are always pretty good.
“He certainly should be very sharp with four weeks between runs.”
Cascadian’s ability to sustain his form deep into a preparation is another positive for the New Approach gelding who has won the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) and Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) and banked more than $1.2 million this campaign.
The Northerly will be the sixth run of a preparation that started with a Memsie Stakes third placing, while last preparation he won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at his sixth run and the previous campaign beat all bar Zaaki in the race now known as the Champions Stakes (2000m) at start six.
“He’s feeling good, he’s moving well and he’s had one of the best preps he’s had in Australia,” Cummings said.
“Here we are in a very suitable Group 1 for him at the end of this preparation, where he always tends to run his best races.
“He should have the right foundation to be winning, but it’s going to be a big challenge for the horse.”
Cummings has enlisted the services of Australia’s leading Group 1 jockey James Mcdonald for the ride on Cascadian, who will start from barrier 12 in the 16-horse field.
