Cummings Pleased with Queensland Derby Hope High Midnight

Trainer James Cummings has been thrilled with the results posted by High Midnight this time and is hopeful he will lay a great and competitive account for himself in Saturday’s 2015 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) at Doomben.

James Cummings is pleased with High Midnight ahead of Saturday's Queensland Derby. Photo: Steve Hart

James Cummings is pleased with High Midnight ahead of Saturday’s Queensland Derby. Photo: Steve Hart

Failing to fire when tenth in his black type debut in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) on March 28th, High Midnight has since contested an ideal lead-in to the 2015 Queensland Derby in placing a commendable fourth in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) and winning each of the Power Access BM75 (1900m) and Ardrossan Batlow Apples BM73 (2000m) most recently.

Citing his impressive win over fellow Queensland Derby contestant Redoubtable Heart two starts ago as pivotal in the decision to send the three-year-old north, Cummings told the Sydney Morning Herald he could not be more pleased with High Midnight but conceded he will need to step-up a gear if he is any chance of success.

“My horse has got winning fitness on his side, but he’s got to step up a class to be calling himself a rival against that group,” Cummings said.

“Redoutable Heart really gave me a lot of confidence given we stayed in Sydney and he was able to compete with them (in the Grand Prix Stakes).

“Given that he’s not that far away from them and it would be great to get another beautiful run and have a crack at them in a Group 1 because he’s a homebred for Dato Tan Chin Nam and his need is great.

“The fire is burning as strong as ever and he’s keen for a big result.

“I think the races of this calibre really unearth the serious hoses and we’re still learning about out horse, but he’s at the peak of his powers at the moment.

“Hopefully he can rise again and meet the standard. I’ll work him at home and he’ll hard up a fit horse.”

Ladbrokes Australia has installed High Midnight at 2015 Queensland Derby odds of $21 for success ahead of Wednesday’s final field and barrier draw release.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.