Photos from Kembla Grange Racecourse's post CLASSIC DAY
James Cummings will chase Group 1 glory with Pohutukawa after the Godolphin filly scored a dominant win in the Group 3 Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic on Friday afternoon.
On a day where Cummings and jockey James McDonald combined for four winners, Pohutukawa was the clear star.
The Medaglia D'oro filly justified her $1.65 favouritism with an ultra-impressive display in the $200,000 fillies feature.
Pohutukawa motored home down the outside to beat Kris Lees' Frankely Awesome by 1-1/4 lengths, with Scarlet Dream a further half length back in third.
"She was very impressive," McDonald said. "It takes a good filly to do what she did today. I was in a very good spot and then it turned out to be a very bad spot at the 600m. She had to make her own luck. She is a big, powerful filly that will go places."
Cummings confirmed plans to head to the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) next start on March 30 at Randwick, but was reluctant to lock in a start in the Australian Oaks.
Pohutukawa is currently a $8 second favourite with TAB markets for the Oaks.
"We will go to the Vinery first and then go from there but she is a serious filly and I think she is a massive chance in the Oaks if we take her that way," Cummings said. "The critical thing for her today was show a lot of strength through the line at 1600m. Off a solid and tough run wide and having to loom up on the turn there, which has proved to be a little bit hard to do today, at Kembla on that sort of track was excellent. It is what we wanted to see from her today."
Cummings and McDonald enjoyed a memorable day at Illawarra Turf Club. The dynamic dup also combined to take out the PFD Food Services A J 'Bert' Lillye Memorial Handicap (1200m) with Intuition. McDonald had got things off to a winning start when Loveseat ran down Lady Lucienne to win the Jim Beam Maiden Handicap (1600m). He then piloted Restrained as the three-year-old led home a one-two finish for the Godolphin when he held off Sergeant in the Edgell Class 2 Handicap (1400m).
A superb display from Irish import Fairlight heloed Kris Lees claim the Assett Professional Services Stayers Cup (2400m).
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