But Cummings knows when he returns to racing as a free agent he will need clients. And the best way to ensure you have solid support is getting the job done on race day.
Cummings won the last at Canterbury on Wednesday with Photograph, and hopes to keep his name up in lights with several strong chances at Hawkesbury on Saturday, including Hawkesbury Guineas pair Zeitung and Pisces.
He’ll also have Lavalier, which runs in the group 1 South Australian Derby, and Golden Mile, which lines up in stakes company at Eagle Farm.
Cummings is under no illusions about the need to keep himself in the shop window with prospective new owners.
“As a trainer going out on my own, I know the support I get will be instrumental,” he said. “The news has already been warmly received.
“The show has to go on. The timing is right. Everyone feels good about confronting the reality, and we can all now begin to plan for what is ahead.
“I wouldn’t say I feel any extra pressure. Training horses is already a demanding role, and it has been for many years.
Pisces and jockey James McDonald combined to win the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield in spring.Credit: Getty Images
“I’ve been lucky I’ve got such a highly capable team. We stick to what we are good at, and we derive confidence from that attitude.
“The beauty for me is Godolphin will be an important client to start back out with. There’s a lot to sort out, but it’s exciting, and I need to get things rolling.”
Pisces won the Blue Sapphire Stakes last spring, but bombed as favourite in the Sandown Guineas. Cummings is prepared to forgive the gelding his two runs back this preparation.
“We’ve deliberately held him back for the target, and there will be races [in Queensland] for him,” Cummings said.
“Zeitung is a dual acceptor, but we’re leaning towards running her in the Guineas. She was unlucky two starts back, and although she wasn’t beaten far last start, the jury was out. Even if there is an improving track, there will be give in it, and that will be to her liking. I think Reitung will be a stylish improver.”
Cummings will launch a three-prong attack on the $200,000 Gold Rush with the resuming Tamerlane and Kin, while Renosu will improve off his first-up run behind stablemate and Ortensia Stakes-bound Pisanello.
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“Tamerlane will be better for the run,” Cummings said. “This is not his trip, but it’s a good race to get him under way.
“He’ll run in the Luskin Star [at Scone] a fortnight later, and will be far better out to that distance.
“When you think of him running behind Another Wil and Jimmysstar in the spring it reads pretty well when he gets to a distance more to his liking.
“Kin is coming along beautifully and can run a race fresh, while Renosu will improve vastly off his run the other day. He had a good blowout.”
The Hawkesbury standalone meeting will be Cummings’ last as Godolphin chief. The farewell tour has officially started. At 37, Cummings is only beginning.
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