Cummings ensures Godolphin in the spotlight again

Australia and Hong Kong serve up the most palatable G1 offerings this weekend, with Godolphin’s tilt at the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield with a pair of maidens viewed as adventurous yet in keeping with James Cummings’ attacking policy.

No doubt Encryption and Plague Stone, both sons of Darley stallion Lonhro, will be suited by the progression to 1,200 metres (six furlongs), having established their credentials already over shorter distances without actually winning.

They are worthy of carrying the Godolphin royal blue in a money-laden two-year-old race that is Melbourne’s answer to next month’s G1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill.

But it is the strength of the opposition that poses the biggest concern. The unbeaten Long Leaf, sent out by Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig, has been shaping well, as too has stablemate Enbihaar, one of four to be saddled by that outfit.

Then there is Written By, a colt by Written Tycoon, and another unbeaten youngster, whose two victories came at Sandown Park and Caulfield.

Written By is raced by his breeder Neville Begg, a former training legend whose early career was shaped to a great extent by the time he spent working for Maurice McCarten, who trained the brilliant Todman, first winner of the Golden Slipper.

Australian racing is all about speed, and provided the Blue Diamond winner has a reasonable pedigree, he is certain to be seen as future stallion material.

Cummings will have plenty on his plate in Melbourne, for apart from his Blue Diamond runners, the Godolphin flagship Hartnell will take his chance in the G2 Peter Young Stakes.

Hartnell looked very good in toughing it out in the G1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield two weeks ago, which should have tuned him up nicely for this week’s race that will determine how potent a threat he can be in the G1 Australian Cup next month.

On the same Caulfield card, the open handicap sprinters tackle the G1 Oakleigh Plate, which has attracted the winners of last year’s G1 Blue Diamond and G1 Golden Slipper respectively, namely Catchy and She Will Reign.

On Sunday, the international spotlight focuses on Hong Kong, where the Gold Cup has attracted one of the strongest local line-ups in recent memory.

Werther, who has proven himself at the highest level at Sha Tin, is ready to bask again in G1 glory, though Time Warp and Eagle Way should also be in contention.