James Cummings Expects Alizee to Run a Strong Race in the Futurity

February 21, 2019

James Cummings Expects Alizee to Run a Strong Race in the Futurity

Godolphin trainer James Cummings has prepared four-year-old mare Alizee for a return to Caulfield in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m).

Alizee won the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) by two lengths over Group 1 winner Le Romain at Rosehill last weekend, and has so far remained steady at $2.45 with Ladbrokes ahead of this weekend’s race.

Alizee, above, is searching for a fourth-straight win at Caulfield on Saturday in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.

Cummings has never won the Futurity – nor have the blue colours of Godolphin. After two successful weekends at both Caulfield and Flemington however, the champion trainer is banking on a very strong performance after Alizee was announced to the All-Star Mile (1600m) Top 10 on March 16.

“Now we’re back as a four-year-old the circumstances are different, she has to step up to weight for age at Group 1 level, but she handled weight-for-age in the Expressway Stakes so beautifully that you’d be surprised if that was going to be a big hurdle” Cummings told RSN on Thursday.

“She’s just flying, she’s going too well to expect her to run anything but a very, very strong race.”

Alizee has drawn barrier 13 for the Futurity, a gate only one horse – Fields of Omagh (2006) – has won from in its 19-year history.

Cummings hopes Alizee can reel the rest of the field in, but also knows jockey Hugh Bowman enjoys a strong bond with the horse.

“It’s an interesting speed map and she’s got her work cut out for her, but the association with Hugh, where she was able to win with him in the Christmas Classic last year can continue into the Futurity, and he’ll know what she’s capable of doing for him.” Cummings claimed.

“That’s important that they have that bond already and she’s going to have to produce a Group 1 performance, and you don’t get away with them lightly.”

Horses that have won the Futurity have gone on to run in the Australian Guineas or the Newmarket Handicap, but with a crack at the All-Star Mile’s $5 million prize-money, team Godolphin are in with a serious chance.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes ...

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen...

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Racegoers at Royal Randwick witnessed what will go down in the history books...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle ...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Another staying race goes to star horseman Ciaron Maher whose race favourite,...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: ...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman continued their ace The Championships’...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Res...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Joliestar was terrific in her first-up run since taking out last year’s...

Race Results

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Race Previews

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

Fields & Form

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets