Late surge sees Cascadian back in the big time
The James Cummings-trained Cascadian (New Approach) finally got himself back in the big time when he took out the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick yesterday and in the process denied top-class mare Tofane (Ocean Park) the perfect swansong before she goes under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast next month.
Making the 21st appearance of what has been a very fruitful career, the Godolphin-bred and owned gelding defied the retiring Tofane the fairytale send off under top jockey James McDonald.
Despite missing the start, Cascadian saved plenty of ground by taking the inside route under his Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)-winning rider before then being angled out for a run at the 250-metre pole, grabbing the Mike Moroney-trained Tofane in the final few strides to win by a length going away with a further two and a half lengths back to Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) in third.
The son of New Approach (Galileo) had shown his ability to perform in Group 1 company when trained by Andre Fabre in France, only narrowly being defeated by Intellogent (Intello) in the 2018 Prix Jean Prat (Gr 1, 1600m).
Opening his Group 1 account when winning last year’s Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m), Cascadian yesterday doubled his top-flight tally and Cummings spoke post-race about just how much of a special horse the gelding is.
“It was quite breathtaking really, and a special victory for the horse, who has got so much heart,” Cummings said.
“We wondered to ourselves do we want to run him in the Australian Cup, do we want to freshen him up for the All Aged or run in the Doncaster.
“I always think to myself, as (form analyst) Dominic (Beirne) has always taught me, running in one doesn’t preclude you from running in the other, and I actually think his run in the Doncaster set him up for today.
“He was enormous on that day, but it was something of a barrier trial. He freshened up beautifully from then, and he was unbeatable today.”
Cummings revealed he casually made mention of Rawiller’s ride to Cascadian’s jockey James Mcdonald as they discussed tactics for the Group 1.
“James came out to the enclosure and I said, ‘what did you think of the ride on Kementari?’ and he said, ‘mate, if you think I’m going to ride Cascadian like Nash (Rawiller) rode Kementari, you need to find another jockey’.
“Riding Cascadian today was all about using his energy wisely. He had the fitness of a horse that was back from 2000 (metres) two runs ago and was going to be fit in a fast-run 1400 and was going to handle the track beautifully. He’s a wonderful horse.”
Cascadian is a half-brother to three winners, including Albahr (Dubawi), the winner of the Summer Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) at Woodbine.
The son of Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) hero New Approach, Cascadian is out of the classy Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Falls Of Lora, whose four wins included the UAE Oaks (Gr 3, 1900m) and the Distaff Stakes (Listed, 1m) at Sandown.
Despite being beaten on her final racecourse, jockey Mark Zahra was pleased with Tofane’s brave effort in defeat.
“Super run, brave on the speed, gave a good kick and just run down by something with an easier run,” Tofane’s rider Mark Zahra told Racing.com.
The winner of eight of her 30 career starts, including four seconds, and three thirds, the daughter of Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park (Thorn Park) retires with earnings of $3,692,470.
Tofane will be consigned by Newgate Farm at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale on behalf of her owners that include Ballymore Stables. The sale kicks off on May 24.