Dead-heat, protest in Group 3 Coongy Cup
Trainer James Cummings hopes Best Of Days can live up to the exploits of another Godolphin import following his dead-heat in the Coongy Cup at Caulfield.
The judged couldn’t separate Best Of Days and Mask Of Time in Saturday’s Group Three 2000m contest.
But Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Mask Of Time ($6.50) lodged an objection against the James McDonald-ridden Best Of Days, the $2.05 favourite, for alleged interference inside the final 50m.
After a short deliberation, stewards dismissed the protest.
Cummings explained former Godolphin galloper Contributor won the 2014 Coongy Cup at his first Australian start.
The following autumn Contributor went on to record dual Group One wins in Sydney, including the Ranvet Stakes.
“This is the race Contributor won straight off the plane and I really hope Best of Days lives up to that horse,” Cummings said.
“This horse has been a work in progress for a long time and we’ve been trying to work on his mind and have him a happy horse.
“He’s a Group performer for us now and hopefully there’s more to come.”
Co-trainer Ciaron Maher said the secret to Mask Of Time sharing the spoils on Saturday was his liking for soft ground.
He said the horse had the ability having ran fourth in the Toorak Handicap last year.
“He’s taken time to find his form,” Maher said.
“He’s had some poor draws but the conditions were the key today.”
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