Godolphin galloper Cascadian will put his All-Star Mile credentials on the line in a first-up assault on the Group 1 C F Orr Stakes at Caulfield.
Trainer James Cummings has sent the imported son of New Approach south for his first-up assignment over 1400m on Saturday having scratched the galloper from the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick where the team will rely on another All-Star Mile aspirant Colette.
With All-Star Mile voting to close on Sunday night, Cascadian is outside the top 15 in the vote count and will require a ‘wildcard’ entry to make the $5 million race at Flemington on March 19 while Colette, sits 15th on the leaderboard on Friday.
Success in the C F Orr would likely enhance Cascadian’s credentials of gaining one of the ‘wildcard’ berths as he is also the winner of the Group 1 Doncaster Handicap last autumn.
Despite not winning fresh since arriving in Australia, Cummings is confident Cascadian is primed to run a forward race on Saturday under Damien Oliver.
“We’re delighted with the way the horse is going,” Cummings said.
“I actually feel like we’ve got him quite forward and he looks like getting a sweet run from that inner draw at Caulfield.
“We’ve been delighted by the way he’s been training, so much so that he could run a very promising race first-up and that would be good to see for the sake of laying a good platform for the rest of his preparation.”
Should Cascadian not make the final field for the All-Star Mile, there are plenty of options available for Cummings and the Godolphin team.
Cascadian has been entered for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12 along with defending his title in the Doncaster on April 2 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 9.
While Cummings believes Cascadian can run a forward race fresh, TAB has the gelding a $21 outsider that sees Sinawann the $4.20 favourite ahead of Behemoth ($5.50) and I’m Thunderstruck ($6).