Red Card leads all the way in Maurice McCarten Stakes
The ‘Blue Army’ of Godolphin have struck in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, with the James Cummings-trained Red Card (+220) making every post a winner.
The daughter of Ribchester has made it back-to-back wins at this course and distance to start the campaign, extending the unbeaten run at Rosehill to three on the trot.
The four-year-old mare was taken straight to the lead by Adam Hyeronimus from the inside draw, and was relatively uncontested throughout the 1100m journey, with only Hard To Say (+850) coming across to sit on her outside.
Airman (+400) got a lovely run in transit just in behind the speed under James McDonald, while the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Omni Man (+550) could only muster speed to sit in the one-one for the duration.
Once they turned for home, Red Card was the only horse punters would’ve wanted to be on as she extended the lead under Hyeronimus, with Libertad (+2200) the only late challenger, producing an incredible runner-up effort after suffering Cardiac Arrythmia first-up.
It was all about Red Card, though, who continues to be a model of consistency for the James Cummings barn, with a fifty percent winning strike rate throughout her short career.
2024 Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes Replay – Red Card
James Cummings was on course and admitted he almost scratched her for this event to run in the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) next Saturday but elected to listen to his expert team.
“She has been able to do that this preparation (settle) because the staff have put a lot of work into her,” said Cummings.
“I was very close to scratching the horse and I had a pretty strong preference to run this horse next week (in The Galaxy).
“But you listen to your team and my assistant trainer at the farm was bullish about running today, (form expert) Dominic (Beirne) was quick to remind me that she wouldn’t be that well handicapped next week.
“She still had to go up five pounds for the win three weeks ago, but nevertheless, she keeps picking up and doing well and relaxing at the right time.
“She has got to be a mare, not only in form, but on the rise. She is elevating.
“I love the fact I’ve got four weeks to the Sapphire (Stakes).
“It’s set weights and penalties and she will be beautifully weighted there and should be a legitimate contender for us during the carnival, provided we don’t have a last-minute thought to throw her into the ‘noms’ for The Galaxy.”
Adam Hyeronimus was elated with the victory in his post-race assessment, crediting his mounts ability to show early speed in her races.
“She’s got brilliant gate speed so I jumped a length in front and then it was just up to me to control the race,” said Hyeronimus.
“And I dead-set controlled it after two strides.
“Obviously we had that pressure come around but that was to be expected, I wasn’t going very quickly for an 1100-metre race, but the way she handled it was very good. She travelled into the straight and gave a good kick.
“James (Cummings) obviously needs no pumping up but I trialled her during the week and she needed the trial. So it’s been a well-executed plan and she’s got a Group Three. So, perfect.”
Red Card is currently at +1000 with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) next Saturday at Rosehill.