Cummings, Godolphin team up in dream start

James Cummings’ introduction as the trainer in charge of Goldophin’s Australian string of racehorses has made an immediate impression on the global thoroughbred operation.

In a dream start for the grandson of the legendary trainer Bart Cummings, the first Godolphin runner he put a saddle on won at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

The honour of Cummings’ first winner for Sheikh Mohammed belongs to Manicure, a promising two-year-old ridden by Corey Brown.

Given the best run in the race in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m), Manicure rallied when it mattered to beat Brook Magic by a half neck.

Despite a first-up win at Canterbury last month, Manicure wasn’t expected to become a milestone horse for Cummings after being sent out an $18 chance.

Cummings has stepped into one of the most prized jobs in racing after John O’Shea parted ways with the stable in May and he has taken over from interim trainer Darren Beadman.

Cummings’ first thoughts were for Beadman whose stint at the Godolphin helm yielded 36 winners, including a Group One victory with Impending in the Stradbroke Handicap.

“She is a stylish filly and she has trained on. Darren will be very pleased with that because he has a lot of time for this filly,” he said.