Racing Twitterverse reacts to Cummings landing the Godolphin gig
IT has been a huge week of news in horse racing circles thus far.
A less-than-stellar performance from Black Heart Bart in the Goodwood drove punters to the brink on Saturday, but we believe the champion has enough credits in the bank to forgive one poor run.
The news cycle then shifted to the training side of racing mid-week after James Cummings was finally formally announced as the new head-trainer of Godolphin Australia.
Twitter had plenty to say on both topics over the past week and we took a look at our favourite takes on the biggest issues in thoroughbred racing.
Opinion divided on James Cummings’ Godolphin appointment
It has been the worst-kept secret in racing over the past month.
@gavdrayton7 @Racing @godolphin @j_a_cummings @Treuer87 Pretty sure I told you blokes this about 5 weeks ago
— Mitchell Lloyd (@MitchellLloyd26) May 23, 2017
On Tuesday powerhouse thoroughbred operation Godolphin formally announced that James Cummings will replace John O’Shea has their Australian head-trainer.
A lot of praise flooded in following the appointment.
@Punters Exceptional get for Godolphin. Pray it works out for James – best young trainer in the business!
— Brad Thompson (@BradThompson83) May 23, 2017
While others mused on the pure symmetry of a potential Godolphin Melbourne Cup win while Cummings is at the helm.
Imagine if @godolphin win their first Melbourne Cup with the grandson of the greatest Melbourne Cup winning trainer of all time #Cummings
— Nic Ashman (@Nic_Ashman) May 23, 2017
It was not all praise for Cummings and Godolphin however.
One social media user said the family legacy will not be truly followed if Cummings trains a cup winner in the royal blue.
@Punters Thought he was doing exceptionally on his own… any Melb cup win now falls under the godolphin banner as opposed to the Cummings legacy
— myles cordeux (@cordeux5) May 23, 2017
Others simply marvelled at appointment for very different reasons.
One Twitter user lamented the fact that at just 29-years-old Cummings is taking over arguably the biggest stable in the world while his bathroom habits are subject to scrutiny.
James Cummings is 29 & now in charge of godolphin in Aus. Meanwhile I’m just trying to poo on company time. ??
— Nick Cahill (@nickcahill9) May 23, 2017
We will present that tweet without comment.
Punters willing to forgive Black Heart Bart after disappointing Morphettville run
When it comes to Darren Weir and a multiple group one winning horse of the ilk of Black Heart Bart, punters can be surprisingly forgiving.
The superstar sprinter did not get a first-up run to suit in last weekend’s Goodwood Stakes and subsequently finished seventh, just the second time since December of 2015 that the gelding has failed to place.
Black Heart Bart was ordinary, pushed to hold spot probably didn’t suit but was plain
— Steve Price (@heatstroke40) May 20, 2017
We definitely feel for punters that unloaded on one of the “good things” of the day, but this one especially made our eyes water.
To the person that put 25k on Black Heart Bart to place and lost – I feel your pain. I put 10$ on and want to cry
— Isaac Willett (@IWilly96) May 20, 2017
Thankfully, one punter was willing to accept the blame for Black Heart Bart’s less than ideal performance.
I got on early and now I feel compelled to apologise to all involved with Black Heart Bart after my dismal betting afternoon.
— Nay (@SoSaysRenee) May 20, 2017
The horse will get a chance to put the Goodwood performance behind it pretty quickly however.
It was announced this week that Bart will make the short turn around to compete in the Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm, and one astute punter saw the writing on the wall prior to a formal declaration.
Soo Black Heart Bart off to QLD for the Kingsford-Smith Cup… $9 to find out if he can get a flight there. #Overs
— DC (@davecama) May 22, 2017
One punter agreed.
@davecama $9 is stupid odds. Should be favourite if running. Massive forgive in goodwood
— DM (@d13mccarthy) May 22, 2017
The horse was subsequently smashed into favouritism ($3.20 at Sportsbet.com.au) – so well done to those punters if they took the earlies on the Bart.