Champion trainer James Cummings thinks Microphone is more than capable of stepping up to 1200m in next month’s Golden Slipper.
A promising win in the Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday has seen the two-year-old firm from $51 into $17 ahead of next month’s $3.5 million Group 1 feature, leaving Cummings with no other option but to send the horse north to Sydney over the coming weeks.
Microphone put forward a bold win in Saturday’s listed Talindert Stakes. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
“He probably looks a horse really well suited to Sydney now. A race like the Skyline coming up in a couple of weeks looks quite ideal for him” Cummings said.
Microphone was the odds on favourite on Saturday in a talented field of 16 runners. The Godolphin hopeful cruised along the rails after sitting up on the speed, going on to win by two-and-a-half lengths in what was yet another classy run from the Exceed and Excel colt.
“I held back from running him last week in a strong field against I Am Immortal, and now with only three runs under his belt, he still looks like he’s got a bit of upside.
“I think the 1200m should be within his reach, he’s done his early education in Sydney, so switching between the stables has been really helpful and extremely effective for us. Now he can embark on a Sydney campaign and I think they’ll see that form coming from the Talindert into the Skyline and they’ll be pretty wary of him getting back onto the float and running well in a race like that” Cummings went on to say.
Now with two wins from three starts, winning jockey James McDonald also enjoyed his first ride on Microphone on Saturday, and thinks the horse has plenty of potential moving forward.
“We worked out perfectly, another beautiful well educated colt with tonnes of ability, and very good up the straight course” McDonald said.
“He’s ran very well here before, and he was dominant here today. He gave me a great feel, I think he’s a colt to look for in the future that’s for sure.”
Microphone would the likes of $5.00 favourite Tassort and Pierro Plate winner Tenley as Godolphin’s representatives in next month’s Golden Slipper. When asked on his chances in the race, McDonald didn’t hold back.
“At the moment I’ll think he’ll run a strong six the way he’s racing. He switches off beautifully, he’s got that electric turn of fooot like the last one, it’s going to take him a long way. He’s a beautiful kind colt who does what he’s told, and he’s honest.”
Golden Slipper Odds:
