Saturday marked the opening of a new era for Godolphin's Australian operation, as James Cummings, the grandson of the legendary Bart Cummings and son of trainer Anthony Cummings, took over training duties from interim trainer Darren Beadman. And things could not have gotten off to a better beginning for the new partnership as Manicure (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) belied odds of 17-1 to take the TAB Rewards H. (1200m), the opening event Saturday at Warwick Farm.
Exiting a maiden victory at Canterbury June 21, Manicure attended the early pace Saturday before settled in mid-division through the middle stages. She loomed boldly three abreast off the home corner and looked a bit one-paced entering the final furlong, but the bay was kept to her task by Corey Brown and stuck her head across the wire first (video).
“It's an absolute honour to train for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and for his first runner with me in his colours to be a winner is pretty special,” Cummings told Racing NSW. “The first runner I had that he was in the ownership with also won, Hallowed Crown (Aus), so it's a really nice way to start and the period ahead is going to be one I can really enjoy.”
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