Thunder Fantasy may have pulled up sore following the running of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, but trainer Anthony Cummings has confirmed that the talented colt will press on to the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 29.
Thunder Fantasy started his 2014 Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with a most impressive win in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield on February 8. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Thunder Fantasy was one of the best backed runners in the lead-up to the Australian Cup, following strong performances in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), but he tired badly in the final stages of the race and was only able to beat home a single runner.
Cummings told TVN that nothing went right for Thunder Fantasy in the Australian Cup, but he is hoping that the Lucky Owners colt can return to his best form when he heads to Sydney for the Rosehill Guineas and the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
“He missed the start, then lost a shoe and he wanted to lay-in under pressure,” Cummings said.
“Under the circumstances to be beaten just on three lengths his effort was pretty good and at least we know why he wasn’t 100 percent in the straight.
“He’ll go to the Rosehill Guineas next, then we’ll have a look at the Derby with him.”
Thunder Fantasy will not be competing in the Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) in Sydney on Saturday, but Cummings could still be represented In the race; with Swiggin’ included in the nominations for the Group 1 event.
Swiggin’ failed to fire in two race starts during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival in Sydney and was not overly impressive in the BJ Howes Metaland Handicap (1100m) at Wyong on January 23, but was far from disgraced when stepped up in class for the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 1.
The Fastnet Rock gelding is 20th in the order of entry for the Royal Randwick Guineas, but he assured of a run if Cummings elects to include him in the acceptances for the $600,000 race.
Cummings is chasing his second win in both the Royal Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas, after winning the 2006 edition of the Royal Randwick Guineas with Hotel Grand and the 2008 Rosehill Guineas with Dealer Principal.
