Classic aspirations on the line at Caulfield

The Derby prospects of progressive colt Ataraxia and the Stakes potential of rising sprint star Badajoz go on show as Godolphin’s Australian stable gears up for the business end of the Melbourne spring at Caufield on Saturday.

Ataraxia and Badajoz will be joined on the Caulfield Cup day card by stablemates Spectroscope in the G3 Coongy Cup, Speedway in the G3 Ethereal Stakes and Beau Geste in the Listed Gothic Stakes.

Ataraxia (Hugh Bowman) runs in the G3 Caulfield Classic, a traditional lead-up to the G1 Victoria Derby and a race for which trainer James Cummings believes he has the right credentials.

“He’s a half-brother to Complacent who was placed in a Derby, so he’s got the pedigree and he showed he has the staying potential when he won over a mile in Listed company last start,” Cummings said.

“He worked very nicely at Flemington on Tuesday, the gallop has tightened him up for this.”

Badajoz (Kerrin McEvoy) gets his chance to win at Stakes level in the G2 Caulfield Sprint following brilliant wins at his past two starts.

“He’s raced his way to a level that requires him to run in these types of races,” Cummings said.

“He’s a very fast, very genuine sprinter who looks to be up to this class under these conditions.”

Cummings is hoping a trip to Melbourne will reinvigorate Spectroscope (Craig Williams) who showed his quality when winning the G3 Doncaster Prelude in Sydney last autumn.

“He probably hasn’t been as dynamic as he was last time in when he looked like he could be one of our better spring prospects,” Cummings said.

“The firm tracks in Sydney this spring might not have suited him, so we’re looking for him to find some form on Saturday.”

Speedway (Hugh Bowman) can race her way into G1 VRC Oaks contention in the G3 Ethereal Stakes.

“This filly has come into her own this preparation. She’s putting together an excellent record as the races have got longer,” Cummings said.

“She looks like a filly on the way up and we know she’s effective at 2000m which is in her favour here.”

Beau Geste is resuming his campaign in the Listed Gothic Stakes after running third to stable mate Viridine in the G2 Roman Consul. 

“We considered running him in the Blue Sapphire but Kerrin McEvoy who rode him last start felt he’d be better at seven furlongs.

“The team won this race last year with Peacock and I feel fairly sure this colt has a class edge on him.”

“We’re very pleased with how he’s trained on since he ran behind Viridine two weeks ago and looking forward to pressing on to the Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day.”