Head trainer of Godolphin in Australia James Cummings is under no illusion how difficult it will be for Cascadian to win Saturday week’s Drummond Golf-Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.
The eight-year-old won a 1200m trial at Belmont yesterday and looms as the star attraction of The Pinnacles as the only multiple Group 1 winner to feature.
James Cummings was impressed by Cascadian, indicating he “trialled beautifully”.
Despite the imposing record, Cummings said he was full of respect for WA Guineas winner Amelia’s Jewel.
“Amelia’s Jewel has been looking like a jet,” he told TABradio.
“I reckon I would’ve needed Aft Cabin or Golden Mile to come and beat her in the WA Guineas.
“That’s how much respect you have to have for a horse that’s looked as impressive as she has.
“There’ll be others that emerge and go better again from their runs in the Railway.
“It’ll be a proper Group 1 and it will be good to be a part of it.”
Cascadian finished a gallant fifth behind Alligator Blood at his most recent start in the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Prior to that, the gelding won the Hill Stakes (2000m) and Craven Plate (1800m) at Randwick on October 1 and 15 respectively.
Cox Plate winning jockey James Mcdonald is expected to team up with Cascadian in the Northerly Stakes.
Amelia’s Jewel is at the head of the market for the Northerly Stakes at $3, ahead of Cascadian ($3.50), Trix Of The Trade ($7), Alaskan God ($7) and Bustler ($8).
Cummings said he was confident Cascadian still had another big performance left in him for the campaign, especially after an impressive closing burst in the Champions Mile.
“He’s run the fastest 6(00),5(00),4(00),3(00),2(00), 1(00) of the day,” he said.
“When I was weighing all of that up, I was like well he’s kind of had a barrier trial in the Champions Mile through no fault of ours or James McDonald.
“He just pulled up from that run like he had another one in him.
“We like the idea of bringing him across for the Northerly.
“The track seems from afar like it’s not too firm for horses lately.
“It’d be great to see good horses like Cascadian really letting go on it and prove that no one should be worried about bringing horses to Perth.”