James Cummings is keeping the faith that multiple stakes winner Paulele can capture a valuable Group 1 win, despite drawing the outside barrier in the Galaxy.
The colt has been kept on ice since his first-up victory in the Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick in February as Godolphin believe he is most effective fresh.
While drawing the widest gate in Saturday’s 14-horse field has dented the team’s confidence, Cummings says Paulele has the class to overcome it – with a little bit of luck.
“He will be the widest of 14 runners here which is a shame from that (1100 metre) shute, but the horse is feeling very good,” Cummings said.
“We have kept him very fresh since winning the Eskimo Prince.
“He beat Converge into third place that day and Hilal in behind him and there has been nothing wrong with that form.
“We’d like to think he’s got that potential to convert all of this good form that he’s got on his resume already into a Group One performance.”
While two of the past three renewals of the Galaxy have been won by Eduardo (2021) and Nature Strip (2019), there is no standout sprinter in this year’s field with Isotope a $4 favourite in an open market.
Away Game is on the second line of betting at $8.50 and will be one of two Galaxy runners for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, along with Bella Nipotina.
The stable struck with Lighthouse in the Coolmore Classic last week and Eustace expects both mares to acquit themselves well after finishing second (Away Game) and fifth (Bella Nipotina) behind Marabi in the Oakleigh Plate last start.
“Bella Nipotina was good in the Oakleigh Plate. (Jockey) Jamie (Kah) thought she slipped at the start and might have tweaked something, but she was fine after the race and her action has been fine,” Eustace said.
“It was a good run and she was finding the line.”
Away Game has been competitive at Group 1 level throughout her career without winning one and Eustace is hoping she finally enjoys a change of fortune.
“She has been unlucky bumping into Marabi and is deserving of winning a race like this,” he said.
