Classic hopes for Godolphin 3YO Ataraxia

Ataraxia has emerged as a Victoria Derby contender for Godolphin.

One of the colts earmarked to chase back-to-back Victoria Derby wins for trainer James Cummings will be out to stamp his credentials in the Caulfield Classic.

Last-start Dulcify Quality winner Ataraxia makes his Melbourne debut in Saturday’s $350,000 Group Three Caulfield Classic (2000m) for three-year-olds.

Cummings, who became the head trainer in Australia for Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation earlier this year, trained Prized Icon to win last year’s Victoria Derby at Flemington.

Ataraxia is a half-brother to Complacent who was second in the 2013 Victoria Derby after winning the Group One Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney.

Cummings said Ataraxia was shaping as one of the stable’s better three-year-old stayers.

“His effort last start to win over a mile in Listed company showed he was going in the right direction,” Cummings said.

“He worked very nicely at Flemington on Tuesday. The gallop has tightened him up for this.

“At this stage he’s one of our top Derby prospects.”

The field of eight for the Caulfield Classic includes Victoria Derby favourite Main Stage, the Spring Champion Stakes runner-up Tangled and also the Victoria Derby Trial winner Tavistock Abbey.

The only filly in the field is the Tony McEvoy-trained Sweet Mischief.