James Cummings has declared Cascadian ready to run a big race in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday and he had improved from his first-up run in the Memsie Stakes.
Cummings said the eight-year-old gelding was one of the main threats to the $2,25 favourite with TopSport I’m Thunderstruck.
Cummings is yet to win a Makybe Diva Stakes and he said based on Cascadian’s first-up third in the Memsie Stakes behind Snapdancer and I’m Thunderstruck he thought he had a good chance.
“He (Blake Shinn) was really pleased with the horse, he just got squeezed up at the beginning, so the horse was a position or two further back than Blake would have loved to have been,” Cummings said
“He followed I’m Thunderstruck through and claimed third spot in the Memsie and the winner was snapped up for The Everest, so the race rated well and the form looks pretty solid coming out of it.”
“He has come on nicely from the run, we haven’t had to do too much with him.”
“He’s a pretty athletic horse and tends to run pretty good races at Flemington, so I can see him running another good race and hopefully things fall into his lap and the race is there for him to win.”
“He’s got the right form line to be one of the main dangers to the favourite.”
The Makybe Diva Stakes promises to be a tactical affair with Alligator Blood expected to lead.
I’m Thunderstruck’s connections have indicated he will go forward from barrier one.
Cascadian is a $5.50 third favourite for Makybe Diva Stakes with TopSport.
Cascadian Odds
- $6.00 With TopSport
- $6.00 With Playup
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I’m Thunderstruck Odds
- $2.25 With TopSport
- $2.35 With Playup
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