By Andrew Slevison
The tactics of a Cox Plate are always intriguing.
This year will be no different with Pride Of Jenni expected to take up her customary front-running role which more often than not puts a gap in the field.
Rival jockeys can often panic when there is a tearaway leader which can force speed maps and plans to be thrown out the window.
Godolphin and James Cummings will saddle up talented colt Broadsiding in the weight-for-age classic at The Valley on Saturday and his position in the run could go a long way to determining the finish.
So, what will the tactics be over the 2040m trip?
“I feel like we’re going to keep those ones a little close to our chest at this stage,” Cummings told SENTrack.
“Which we should be entitled to given the magnitude of the event and the nature of the field.”
Broadsiding found himself back in the field in the Caulfield Guineas last time out, running on for fourth on a leader-ish track.
Could there be a surprise with where jockey Jamie Kah lands from barrier 8 in the nine-horse field? Perhaps that will be the case given Cummings’ somewhat cryptic answer.
The trainer was taken by Broadsiding’s work on the course proper at The Valley on Tuesday morning which was a nice lead-up for the big one on the weekend.
“He was beautiful this morning,” he added.
“I liked the way he picked up the bridle nicely from the half mile.
“He worked beautifully inside the furlong to the post. It was a nice gallop without overdoing it.
“From my perspective it was just what we came for.”
💬 “From my perspective, it was just what we came for.”
— SENTrack (@SEN_track) October 21, 2024
James Cummings on Broadsiding… 👀 @SENGiddyUp | @TheValley pic.twitter.com/z0lnIU7Skr
Cummings was asked: Can Broadsiding win the Cox Plate?
“Well, we’re not here to put socks on caterpillars,” he said with a smile.
“He’s going to need to go to another level, but he’s got a pretty special record already and he’s worthy.”
The stable won the Cox Plate in 2022 with Anamoe just a year after he went down to international raider State Of Rest in controversial fashion.
Broadsiding, who is already a three-time Group 1 winner, will aim to go one better as a three-year-old in this year’s edition.
Crafted by Project Diamond