Cascadian has ‘stacks of improvement’ left ahead of Memsie Stakes

August 25, 2022 11:10 pm.

Cascadian is aiming to win back-to-back Group 1 races in the Memsie Stakes (Steve Hart)

Two-time Group 1 winner Cascadian is a live hope of adding a third when he resumes in Saturday’s Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

The James Cummings-trained eight-year-old hasn’t raced since his emphatic victory in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 16, but two brilliant trials suggest he is ready to fire first-up.

Cummings nominated the son of New Approach for last Saturday’s Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, but he opted to not accept and wait for this $1 million feature instead, keeping Anamoe and Cascadian separate from one another.

Cascadian has now had three weeks since his latest barrier trial, which Cummings says was done deliberately.

READ: Memsie Stakes runner-by-runner betting guide

“He’s coming into the race nicely first-up but with stacks of improvement in him,” Cummings said.

“We’ve deliberately given him a few weeks since that trial at Warwick Farm on a very heavy track.

“He’s had a couple of lung-burners since then but, by and large, we’ve kept things pretty easy for Cascadian in order to have him fresh for the seven-furlongs assignment in the Memsie (Stakes).”

Despite drawing a touch awkwardly in the middle of the pack, Cummings is hopeful that Blake Shinn will get on well with the flashy chestnut and be able to finish over the top of what looks a suitable tempo.

Cummings, without getting ahead of himself, says he can see the horse winning the race, but he’s aware that he tends to get better deeper into the preparation.

“He’s just got to rely on a tempo that looks there on paper,” the trainer said.

“In my mind, I think there’s a way he can get up and win, but he definitely improves with racing.

“Blake Shinn has returned from Hong Kong, and he was riding Bivouac before he went.

“He was Bivouac’s main rider then, winning a Kindergarten (Stakes) on him.

“I think he’s going to suit Cascadian well and I think he should be confident of the horse running well without the pressure of being favourite in the race.”

Cascadian is an $7.50 chance with Australian betting sites ahead of the first Group 1 for this season in Victoria.