The great Bart Cummings managed to win a record 12 Melbourne Cups as a trainer. Now, his grandson Ed is strategising in his bid to win his very own with his stable’s mare Duais.
The Cummings family overall have done wonderful things within Australian racing. Last year, Ed became the latest to land a Group 1 when his then-understated filly Duais mastered the Queensland Oaks.
Now, trainer Ed has the Melbourne Cup in mind for his star mare (check the Melbourne Cup betting odds).
It’s in the Blood with Cummings
Since winning the Queensland Oaks, Duais has gone on to more big race success. Winner of the Group 1 Australian Cup and Tancred Stakes, she is now being pointed firmly at the race that stops a nation on November 1 at Flemington and that is huge for the Cummings family.
Brother of successful trainer James Cummings as well as grandson of Bart, it’s certain that Ed has the best grounding and knows what it takes to win the great race.
Some run scared of the Melbourne Cup, perhaps believing they don’t belong at the top table as trainers. Ed however has kept a level head and simply believes the race is right for his mare.
The trainer reckons that the Melbourne Cup presents the best opportunity, even above the Caulfield Cup. She may go there too, but that is a different animal to the Melbourne Cup although it seems the handler is confident of big runs in both races.
Duais’ Road to the Cup
Although she is already a multiple Group 1 winner, a plan is needed to get Duais to the race.
Ed Cummings spoke out recently to say that the Turnbull Stakes may be the ‘linchpin’ race. However, he also pointed out that the conditions of that event will make it difficult. She will not be well weighted compared to several other contenders.
Her autumn plan went right to target. Duais’ trainer always penned in the Australian Cup and the Tancred, both of which she won.
Now, Duais is in pre-training as her road towards a big spring campaign begins. The mare is now just a $15 shot with the TAB for the Melbourne Cup. Only Incentivise is above her at the moment.
Whatever she does in the Turnbull, we should be expecting much better as the spring goes on.
Bart’s Cup Winners
Even if Ed Cummings wins with Duais, he has a long way to go to replicate what his grandfather achieved in the game. That’s especially true of the Melbourne Cup.
Here are the amazing TWELVE Melbourne Cup winners the great Bart Cummings trained:
- 1965 – Light Fingers
- 1966 – Galilee
- 1967 – Red Handed
- 1974 – Think Big
- 1975 – Think Big
- 1977 – Gold And Black
- 1979 – Hyperno
- 1990 – Kingston Rule
- 1991 – Let’s Elope
- 1996 – Saintly
- 1999 – Rogan Josh
- 2008 – Viewed
What a record.
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