Varda ready to go the distance in Moreton Cup

Trainer James Cummings is upbeat about the chances of Varda in the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.

After sticking to short-course sprints for more than two years, Godolphin believe the time is right to stretch Varda over a slightly longer journey.

The mare has been a prolific winner for the stable, landing the major prize in six of her 14 starts.

But her victories, which include a decision over subsequent Group 1 winner Masked Crusader last winter, have all been over distances ranging from 1000 to 1110 metres.

She will be asked to step out of her comfort zone when she contests the 1200m of the Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday, trainer James Cummings taking confidence from her powerhouse last-start win in the Chief De Beers at Doomben when she rattled home from near-last on the turn.

“She’s a mare whose six wins have all been at 1110 metres or less and her only effort at the 1200 metres was behind Flit in the Group Three Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes very early in her career,” Cummings said.

“The way she got home to win the Chief De Beers fourteen days ago suggests she could appreciate the extra distance.

“The added attraction of a Group win will enhance her CV.”

A small field of 12 will contest the Moreton Cup headed by Sydney sprinter Splintex, who won the Hall Mark Stakes two starts ago before finishing a sound sixth to Eduardo in the Doomben 10,000, and Baller, who will be having his second run for Tony Gollan after capturing the Gold Coast Goldmarket at his debut for the stable.