Bart's new view on Cup strategy
The Age
Friday August 28, 2009
IT IS understandable that, with 12 Melbourne Cups to his name, Bart Cummings would be wary of changing his successful formula. But the Cups King is open-minded about his approach to the 2009 Cup with last year's winner Viewed, who kicks off his campaign at Caulfield tomorrow.Cummings was forced to try something different last year for his 12th Melbourne Cup win. Circumstances demanded a different approach with Viewed after he missed a vital run a week before the Caulfield Cup when he was kicked at the barrier and scratched before the Yalumba Stakes.It meant he did not have a run for four weeks leading into the Caulfield Cup, where he finished 10th. He then ran last in the weight-for-age Mackinnon Stakes three days before his Melbourne Cup triumph at odds of $41.Instead of derailing Viewed's Melbourne Cup assault, Cummings this week conceded the forced late change in his stayer's preparation may have been the difference between victory and defeat on the first Tuesday in November."It might have been a blessing in disguise, as it might mean that he appreciates a lighter campaign," Cummings said."I originally thought that he'd done a very good job to win the Cup considering the problem he had, but it might have worked in his favour missing out on that run."I've set no concrete plan for him on the way [to this year's Cup]. It just depends on what it takes to get him there in the right shape."Viewed's missed run in the Yalumba Stakes meant he went into the Cup with just 7600 metres of racing in his spring campaign. It is doubtful any of Cummings' previous 11 winners have come into the race on such a light campaign.Cummings said he had not intended to give Viewed a particularly tough spring campaign as he was coming off a Sydney autumn carnival and Brisbane winter carnival.Ultimately, he had just four lead-in runs. Cummings has long used the "miles-in-the-legs" strategy of racing his horses over more than 10,000 metres in their lead-up to the Cup.Viewed takes his first step towards the Cup when he runs in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow.Cummings said he was pleased with Viewed's progress, but didn't expect any miracles. "He did well spelling and has come back in good order, so I'm happy at this stage," he said.The master trainer's tilt at the 2009 Melbourne Cup took a jolt earlier this week when his 2007 Queensland Derby winner Empires Choice had to have surgery for a fractured hind leg. But the trainer has 10 other horses that could win him a 13th Cup.Also kicking off their campaigns this weekend are the up-and-comers Precedence, who will run at Caulfield tomorrow, and Dandaad and Naval Escort, who are engaged at the Betfair Park program on Sunday.
© 2009 The Age
Share This