James Cummings is aiming to convert silver into gold when Godolphin’s high-class trio tackle the $7.5 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Cummings already possesses the Silver Eagle trophy courtesy of talented mare Flit, who is joined in Saturday’s race by Australian Oaks winner Colette and emerging star Criaderas.
After a week of solid rain, and with more on the radar, the Rosehill track is expected to rate well into the heavy range but Cummings is confident each of his runners will be suited.
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Flit’s form has fluctuated this year but the Group One-winning miler put it all together in the Silver Eagle and she looks fully primed for another big race.
“She finally got the chance to show just how much she is flying,” Cummings said.
“Winning the Silver Eagle was just what we needed to see after some mixed results this preparation.
“She now comes into the race at the absolute peak of her powers. We’ve never had her better.”
Rachel King rode all three of the Godolphin runners at their last appearances but will be partnering Flit on Saturday.
The English-born King has forged a formidable combination with the Cummings stable in recent months.
She will also be aboard Godolphin sprinter Deprive in the $1 million Yes Yes Yes Stakes (1300m).
Colette took all before her winning the Adrian Knox and Australian Oaks in the autumn and she’s coming out of a strong third-up run in the Epsom, which was the race that produced the winning formline for last year’s Golden Eagle.
“Her run in the Epsom a month ago was a beauty and she’s improved since,” Cummings said.
“She will meet this high-class field on a heavy track, which will see her find lengths in her form.”
Criaderas may not have the experience and credentials of his stablemates but he is an up-and-coming galloper and the stable have confidence in his ability.
“He’s not well suited under the set weights conditions of this high-pressure race, but his presence in it will make for interesting viewing,” Cummings said.
“He got too far out of his ground last start but ran the fastest last 600 metres of the day, which was not for the first time, and that effort might just be the run that wins him the Golden Eagle.”
