The James Cummings trained Godolphin three year olds Astoria and Sanctioned have both drawn good barriers in the Group 3 $200,000 James Boag’s Premium Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Sanctioned finished second to Gold Standard, above, in the Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Astoria is coming off a last start win in the Group 3 $150,000 NJC 3yo Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on September 15 and has drawn barrier two while Sanctioned has drawn next door at three in the final field of eleven.
Sanctioned has been placed at his two Spring Carnival outings for a first up third to Dracarys in the Group 3 $150,000 Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on August 19 followed by a second to Gold Standard in the Group 2 $200,000 Kari Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill three weeks later.
Cummings has Group 1 aspirations for Astoria and another good performance in the Gloaming Stakes will see the Medaglia D’Oro colt line up in the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 7.
“He produced a really good, strong, surging win at Newcastle. He’s come through it really well and he needs racing to keep bringing him on,” Cummings said.
“When I looked him over on Tuesday morning I was delighted with the way he appeared and I think he’s ready to produce again this weekend.”
“Importantly, it’s going to set him up with a strong foundation for races like the Spring Champion Stakes.”
“He should be putting himself right into the race and he’s ready to attack the line.”
Cummings hasn’t mapped out any future plans for Sanctioned but will see how he performs in the Gloaming Stakes before selecting his next outing.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself as far as spring targets go, but he’s nominated for the majors,” Cummings said.
“He started this preparation as a mid-week winner and he’s now a G3 placegetter first-up and a G2 placegetter last start, so he’s on an upward spiral.”
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself as far as spring targets go, but he’s nominated for the majors.”
“He started this preparation as a mid-week winner and he’s now a G3 placegetter first-up and a G2 placegetter last start, so he’s on an upward spiral.”
