South Australian Derby winner Shadows in the Sun returned to his front running best with a strong win in the listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Ridden cleverly by Peter Robl, Shadows in the Sun was able to lead throughout for a two and a half length win.
The gelding, sent out an $8.50 chance with bookmakers, beat home a pair of Gai Waterhouse trained stayers in a new class record time of 2 minutes 27.87 seconds.
A lovely individual, Shadows in the Sun was purchased by trainer Anthony Cummings for $280,000 from the draft of Kitchwin Hills at the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Cummings has big race ambitions for his rising staying talent and is already planning a spring carnival assault – with Melbourne’s Cups high on the radar.
“I told Pete (Robl) to be positive but I really didn’t expect him to lead,” Cummings told AAP.
“But he got left in front and got some soft sectionals and that’s exactly what happened in Adelaide.”
“He’ll be entered for all the big races like the BMW. The Tasmanian Cups are also an option but I’ve got half a mind to go to Mornington next month.”
“It’s a mile and a half and a qualifier for the Caulfield Cup,” Cummings added.
With major spring races on the radar for Shadows in the Sun is looks likely his current prizemoney of $447,000 looks set to expand over the rest of 2013.
Shadows in the Sun is one of three Group One winners for the exceptionally well bred Danehill sire Dane Shadow.
He is one of four winners and two stakes winners from the lightly raced and placed Best Western mare Best Out West.
A daughter of the group performed Battle-Waggon mare Mother Courage, Best Out West is also the dam of the Fernhill Handicap winner Stone Canyon.
It’s the same family as fellow Australian stakes winners including Enchanting Waters, Spurred On, Eureka Jewel, Sermon, Distancia and Live Theatre.
Winner: Shadows in the Sun
Breeding: Dane Shadow-Best Out West (Best Western)
Race: ATC Australia Day Cup LR (2400m)
Sold for: $280,000
Sale: 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Kitchwin Hills (As Agent)
Buyer: Anthony Cummings
Earnings: $477,100
Owner(s): BL Cummings, Hobartville Stud (Mgr: GE Mapp), S Springett, R Portaro, C Battese, B Battese, T Battese, S Bennett, J Jakobsson & Mansion Rd Synd
Trainer: Anthony Cummings
