Godolphin stayer takes out VRC St Leger

Godolphin trainer James Cummings says the biggest asset Alegron has is his staying prowess which came to the fore at Flemington.

Alegron gave Cummings his first win in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) on Monday, a race with a long history that pre-dates the Melbourne Cup.

Coming off a last start third to Hitotsu in the Group 1 ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 2, Alegron had to weave his way through the field to win.

Sent out the $1.65 favourite under Damien Oliver, Alegron scored by 2-¼ lengths from The Cunning Fox ($9) with Fearentless ($13) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.

“It’s good for the team to get up in the St Leger which is such a time-honoured race,” Cummings said.

“It’s a great honour to win it and to see this horse continue in the form he is in in these staying races.

“He’s got a formidable record at 2000 metres and above and hopefully it can carry on although he does not have a turn of foot, but he is a wonderful stayer.”

Cummings described Alegron as a ‘big baby’ as he plays around before the start of his races, but once the gates open, he switches on.

He said the son of Teofilo would continue to develop.

“He is a St Leger winner now anyway and we’re pretty satisfied that we’ve got a promising horse going forward,” Cummings said.

With the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at the end of the year a potential target for Alegron, Cummings now has to decide on which path to tackle to get to the race.

A start in the Listed The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on May 14 or the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on the same day are potential options.

“That’s something we’ll talk about that,” Cummings said.

“The international horses that he might come up against in the Ramsden might be a bit strong, so there is that to worry about.

“The South Australian Derby is a Group 1. It’s looming on the agenda for the horse.

“We kept him lightly raced early in the preparation for a reason and hopefully we can capitalise on it.”