Godolphin is ready to mount a serious assault on the Queensland winter carnival with three important runners at the Gold Coast.
The powerful stable sent its staff north two weeks ago to obey Queensland self-isolation rules during the coronavirus pandemic.
Godolphin’s horses have arrived in the past week for a modified winter carnival which steps up a cog with the running of the Gold Coast Guineas and Silk Stocking on Saturday.
Godolphin Australia’s head trainer James Cummings is excited about the return of 2019 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Exhilarates in the Gold Coast Guineas.
Exhilarates will be having her first run since running third in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January.
“She returns to the scene of her biggest win on a track where she’s won two races, which all has to count for something,” Cummings said.
“Her summer campaign was nice and brief after a spring in which she excelled.
“Both her runs were good last time in and there was certainly nothing negative to take away from finishing third here in the Guineas in January.
“She’s had two nice trials to have her ready for a highly anticipated northern campaign.”
Cummings is equally upbeat about his Silk Stocking runners Multaja and Resin as Godolphin aims for successive wins in the race after Demerara saluted in 2019.
“Multaja’s first-up run was a beauty,” Cumming said.
“She was very game from her wide gate and she’s only going to be improved by the run.”
Cummings said Resin was looking for another win before going to stud.
“She also put in a good run from a wide gate last start after running well in solid company at her previous few,” he said.
“Some exemplary training has the team holding on to hope that she has a win remaining before her stud career,” he said.