Cummings to train American stayer for Melbourne Cup

Cups King Bart Cummings will prepare high class American stayer Sanagas for this year’s Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Sanagas was a dominant three and a quarter lengths winner of the Group 1 Hollywood Turf Cup over 2400m last November and was purchased by Victorian based BC3 Thoroughbreds in association with USA owner breeder David Bermsen.

BC3 Thoroughbreds and its owners are in negotiations to secure two more serious Melbourne Cup contenders and the German bred Sanagas could spearhead a three pronged attack on Victoria’s major staying races.

Sanagas is currently in training in North America with trainer Peter Miller who will give the five year a short campaign before sending him to Australia.

“We’ll welcome him with open arms when he arrives and look forward to preparing him for the Melbourne Cup,” Cummings said.

“I’ve watched his win in the Hollywood Cup and was very impressed with the acceleration he showed after racing wide without cover.”

Cummings won’t get to see Sanagas in the flesh until he arrives in Australia in June  but will be watching in interest as he steps out in America.

Sanagas to due to resume at Santa Anita next Sunday in the Group 2 San Marcos Stakes over 2000m and then run at Santa Anita in the Group 2 San Luis Rey Stakes (2400m) on March 18.

He will then have one more run in the Group 2 San Juan Capistrano Handicap (2800m) on April 22 before he enters quarantine prior to travelling to Australia in June.

Cummings, who has twelve Melbourne Cups sitting in his trophy cabinet is looking forward to adding Sanagas to his spring team in his quest to secure his thirteenth.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.