Haunted has provided trainer James Cummings with his 100th stakes race victory for Godolphin, taking out the Listed Ladbrokes Village Stakes at Caulfield.
Cummings took over as Godolphin’s Australian trainer in July 2017, replacing caretaker trainer Darren Beadman filled in when John O’Shea stepped down.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Haunted ($4.60) recorded a half-length win from Parsifal ($6) with Inn Keeper ($21) a long-neck away third.
Haunted sat behind a solid tempo that was set by the $2 favourite Zoustyle which weakened in the straight to finish fourth.
Cummings said Haunted has had an amazing preparation and before a freshen had finished second to Begood Toya Mother in the Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in August.
Begood Toya Mother went on to win the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last month.
“We freshened him up before his last start and he was a lot less fresh for this with that run under the belt,” Cummings said.
“That form behind Begood Toya Mother was always going to be good at this stage of the Caulfield Cup carnival and it’s a pleasure to see him respond, enjoy the training and finish strongly to overcome the favourite .
“He was under the pump before the turn but he kept surging and he took some pulling up.”
Cummings pointed out that Haunted was running in similar type races to that of Trekking who won his way into Saturday’s $14 million The Everest with victory in last week’s Group Two Schillaci Stakes.