By Neil Evans
As the Godolphin empire prepares for one of the shortest-priced favourites in group 1 Caulfield Guineas history this Saturday, a less profiled stablemate is primed to return with a bang at Thursday’s Hawkesbury meeting.
It was two Saturdays ago when outstanding three-year-old Broadsiding returned with a dynamic first-up win in the group 1 Golden Rose over 1400m at Rosehill.
Godolphin trainer James Cummings.Credit: Getty
Not surprisingly, that catapulted the star colt into a hot $1.50 favourite for the time-honoured Guineas classic over a mile, and no doubt scared a few away at the same time.
But for head trainer James Cummings and his wide-reaching team, it’s a little more back to basics at Hawkesbury when promising three-year-old Mellifluent resumes in a Benchmark 64 Hcp for the boys over 1100m.
Significantly, this son of prolific speed sire Exceed And Excel returns as a gelding for only his third start, having not raced since finishing at the back in a one-off 2YO Hcp start at Caulfield on June 1.
That came four months after Mellifluent grabbed everyone’s attention with a fighting debut win at Canterbury as a heavily backed favourite.
But not everything has gone to plan for this talented yet work-in-progress youngster, and Godolphin is banking on a decision to geld him reigniting that winning switch.
Certainly, the stable has seemingly found an ideal first-up race, drawn to get cover and likely right behind the speed, with Zac Lloyd taking over in the saddle.
Mellifluent opened up around $4.50 in betting behind Wyong-based early favourite Mogul Monarch ($3.50) who is deep into his prep, and coming off two second placings at Kembla.
Earlier in a meeting where there are many gallopers either resuming or having their first start, debutant filly Circle Of Love also emerges as a headline grabber for the Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald stable.
Lining up for her first start in an open Super Maiden Hcp over 1000m, Circle Of Love appears well-fitted behind two progressive trials at her home Warwick Farm track.
Showing plenty of that tactical speed made famous by her prolific sire Exceed And Excel, Circle Of Love won the second of two trials comfortably by two lengths.
In what looms as a wider betting affair, she opened around the $4.40 mark, narrowly ahead of resuming duo, Randwick-based mare Rainbow Goddess and locally-trained filly Tequila Baby both priced around $5.00.
