Staff Writer |
Flemington has long been a playground for the Cummings family, but it could be the scene of a sibling rivalry this weekend, as brothers James and Edward Cummings prepare to clash in the Gr.1 Australian Cup.
The pair's late grandfather Bart won a record 13 Australian Cups in his illustrious career, while the fifth-generation trainers are each looking to claim their first wins in the race.
James Cummings will saddle up last year's Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian in the Australian Cup, with the Godolphin galloper coming into the race on the back of his win in the Gr.3 Peter Young Stakes.
Saturday's race will be just Cascadian's second start over 2000m, with his only previous run over the trip yielding a second placing in last year's Gr.1 Mackinnon Stakes.
Godolphin's head trainer in Australia said that the plan is for Cascadian to back up into The All-Star Mile next weekend, all being well.
Meanwhile, Edward Cummings has brought Duais down from his Hawkesbury base to contest the $1.5 million events.
Duais gave Cummings his first G1 win in his own right when she prevailed in last year's Queensland Oaks, however, he believes that she's developed into a 'much better horse' in the months since then.