Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer James Cummings can’t recall too many horses in his care at Godolphin that have worn a nose roll but he says it’s working wonders with improving youngster Crocodile.

A bit of trial and error with the colt in the month or so leading into his debut saw Cummings settle on that particular gear and on the back of a confidence boosting maiden win he hopes he can go on with it in the Chandon Handicap (1400m).

“Eight weeks ago he was really testing the patience at trackwork and he’s bit by bit got better and better,’’ Cummings said.

“We discussed different ways to get the horse to use himself better than he was. We tried a few things, things he liked and things he didn’t like, but that nose roll sits on nicely.

“One day he might not need it but we’re comfortable to keep him in the routine of using it and we’re pretty pleased that he’s trained on nicely.”

Crocodile, $4.40 with TAB on Thursday, made his debut over 1100m but found subsequent city winner Hidden Motive a bit too sharp as he finished just behind the placings but the step up 1400m at start two saw him able to take control.

Cummings recognises that it is a step from a Hawkesbury maiden to a Saturday at Rosehill but sees the half-brother to multiple stakes winner Character as similar to many of his rivals – lightly raced horses with scope to improve.

“I thought Adam (Hyeronimus) rode him beautifully at Hawkesbury second-up so he has a bit of confidence coming into the city,’’ he said.

“I like that he came through the Hidden Motive race. It’s been very reliable form and I’d say he’s one of a couple of horses there coming into this as lightly raced, late maturing two-year-olds.

“It’s another step up again and it’s going to be a good test of the horse.”

Snack Bar may be a little lucky not to be in the paddock after disappointing Cummings in three runs this time in but he’s banking on getting back to Rosehill making a difference.

The grey was beaten under half a length by Lady Shenandoah and Mayfair in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty at the track back in September but he’s not been hitting the line to the trainer’s liking.

With a 2kg claim for Braith Nock, Cummings said he gets another chance in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1300m).

“He’s been lacklustre this preparation in this finish. I felt like he was going to have a better preparation than this, I nearly turned him out after Caulfield,’’ he said.

“We’ve had the opportunity to have a look at him and we noticed he’s bouncing out of his skin and turning up at Rosehill in a handicap over 1300m that paints a similar picture to the day he was running well against Lady Shenandoah.”

Cummings, who announced this week he's set to train in Hong Kong from mid-2026, said it’s worth forgiving the usually consistent Drift Net for her heavy track failure a few weeks ago and she could bounce back in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m).

Drift Net was a winner over that trip at Warwick Farm on May 7 but she was expected to fare a lot better than a 10 length defeat last time out.

Crocodile wins at Hawkesbury on May 27

“She’s had such a good record on heavy tracks but there’s nothing good at all about going hard within herself on that heavy track. It’s a recipe to get beaten,’’ he said.

“We thought we’d give her the benefit of the doubt.

“I like her better at 1300m than seven furlongs and the assistance of the claim might be a significant factor for her in a race where there might not be too much between them.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting