Godolphin trainers James Cummings and Sam Freedman have given punters a rundown on the Blue Army’s contingent heading to the feature races at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day.
Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100m)
Lyre lines up in the Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100m) and is currently the early $5.50 favourite.
Sam Freedman said that even though she was winless last preparation, there were a number of performances with merit.
“She had a frustrating three-year-old season but her form wasn’t bad at all,” Freedman said.
“Looking through it, she hardly ran a bad race and she ran belters in the Sangster and the Goodwood in Adelaide at the end of her preparation which is very good form for a three-year-old filly.
“She had blinkers on in both those races and they go on again on Saturday.
“She hasn’t been pushed around in her two trials leading up to this. She’ll run well, but she will improve.”
Watch: Lyre narrowly miss in the Group 1 TAB Classic last preparation.
A superb performance by the Commands mare #BellaVella who claims the G1 TAB Classic from #Lyre (Lonhro) in a thrilling finish. A $100k yearling from @mmsnippets sold by @WillowParkStud, Bella now races for @Clarken_Racing, purchased online from @InglisDigital for just $22,500. pic.twitter.com/7Cb7zjxezj
— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) May 2, 2020
Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m)
Godolphin has two runners in Saturday’s feature event, with Cascadian ($11.00) and second favourite Savatiano ($4.80).
On Cascadian, James Cummings was positive about the gelding’s chances.
“He’s ready to attack,” Cummings said.
“He’s enjoyed having the freshness knocked out of him by his first-up run, and he’s confirmed that by the sensible and easy way he’s gone about his training since.
“I’d hoped to see the horse storming home the way he did in the PB Lawrence from the wide barrier.
“If he runs up to that here it opens up some attractive options in either the Sir Rupert Clarke or the Makybe Diva.”
On Savatiano, Cummings was similarly optimistic about the P.B. Lawrence winners chances.
“She has consolidated the fitness that got her home in the Lawrence and comes to the Memsie in great form.
“We’ve often thought of her as a bottled-up talent and now she has the chance to live up to that opinion.
“Not every horse has the chance to prove they are a G1 performer.
“She’s been very effective over 1,400m at Caulfield, she’s been placed twice in good G1 company and this could be her best opportunity to win at that level.”
Watch: Savatiano take out the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes, with Cascadian working home nicely.
Another winner for @godolphin with #Savatiano savaging the line to score in the P B Lawrence Stakes. That is 131 stakes winners for #StreetCry who is also grandsire of Bella Nipotina. She is the half-sister to placegetter today #Athiri 📹Racing pic.twitter.com/y2GUVdiN51
— ANZ Bloodstock (@anz_news) August 15, 2020
