History beckons for famous Cummings clan

Anthony Cummings will pit Honey Go Lightly against runners trained by his sons James and Edward.

There isn’t much the Cummings family hasn’t achieved in racing and in the opening event at Rosehill they are set to create their latest slice of history.

Anthony Cummings and his sons Edward and James will each have individual runners in the same race for the first time when they saddle-up a trio of two-year-olds in ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

Cummings senior will start filly Honey Go Lightly, James saddles up Vivaro for Godolphin while Edward will have his first city runner as a trainer in his own right with Gin Runner.

Adding to the family flavour, Honey Go Lightly is part-owned by their wife and mother Bernadette.

“I’m sure we came up against James when Dad and I were in partnership but not individually,” Edward Cummings said.

“Hopefully it’s a Cummings trifecta.”

Vivaro and Gin Runner both come into Saturday’s race off the back of last-start wins, the Godolphin filly leading throughout to score at Hawkesbury while Gin Runner was successful in country grade.

Honey Go Lightly hasn’t raced since the Gimcrack Stakes in which she was among the fancied runners on the back of a strong barrier trial win but finished down the track behind Catch Me.

“She had trialled really well and in her trial she beat the horse who eventually won that race,” Anthony Cummings said.

“She just found herself in all the wrong spots on race day which was a bit unfortunate.

“She’s had a couple of issues and needed time, but we’ve sorted most of that out so she’s ready to go back to the races.

“She’s in good shape and she’s forward enough to make her presence felt.”

The Cummings clan is looking forward to their horses clashing more often in the future with James continuing to do a tremendous job as head trainer for Godolphin in Australia, Anthony guiding an exciting young team including boom filly Libertini, while Edward recently celebrated his first win since venturing out on his own earlier this year.

Regardless of who ends up with bragging rights after Saturday, Anthony is adamant he won’t be the one buying at the next family gathering.

“We shouted Edward lunch after he won the other day so it must be his turn.”