The Randwick trainer produced the striking Prince Fawaz to claim top honours in the G1 Magic Millions JJ Atkins S. and he looks every bit a top contender for the spring 3-year-old riches.
Unfortunately for Cummings, he wasn’t able to be at Eagle Farm to join in the post-race celebrations with the 19-strong Fawaz syndicate made up of friends from their university days and many of them first-time owners.
“The plane was delayed by fog so I decided to come to Randwick to watch the race,” said Cummings, who also shares in the ownership. “He’s a really good horse and he’s ticked the box early by getting a Group 1.”
“He looked awkwardly placed and it speaks so much for his ability to go from a standing start and win like that.” - Anthony Cummings.
Prince Fawaz raced in the body of the field and, once into the clear in the straight, he lengthened stride impressively for his second win from five appearances.
“He looked awkwardly placed and it speaks so much for his ability to go from a standing start and win like that,” Cummings said.
Prince Fawaz was ridden for the first time by Kerrin McEvoy and the experienced jockey was full of praise for the handsome colt.
“It’s the first time I’ve sat on him and he showed a nice turn of foot,” he said. “He’s got a lot of class,
“He jumped nicely and I just niggled forward into a midfield spot and he travelled really well.”
McEvoy said he had an opportunity to get Prince Fawaz into the clear across the top, but experience made him think better of it.
“I was nearly going to try and burrow out from the 700, and I opted not to and just ride a bit more patiently.
“It’s the first time I’ve sat on him and he showed a nice turn of foot.” – Kerrin McEvoy.
“Full credit to the horse he picked up and was really strong and he got there quite cosily in the end. He just cruised the last 100 yards and Anthony and the owners have got a nice horse for the spring.”
While Prince Fawaz is bred mainly along sprinting lines, McEvoy is confident he will stay over more ground later on.
“I’m presuming that he’ll stay further than the mile as well,” he said. “You never know, he could get the Derby trip. Knowing Anthony he’ll have a crack anyway.”
Magic purchase
Cummings purchased Prince Fawaz for $220,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he is a son of Lady Paget (Testa Rossa), who was successful in two minor events up to 1400 metres.
She is a half-sister to the G1 Chipping Norton S. winner and sire Casino Prince (Flying Spur) and the G3 Tramway H. winner Tagus (Encosta de Lago). Another half-brother Lord Of The Land (Timber Country {USA}) showed more of a staying bias and was a dual Listed winner who was successful up to 2400 metres.
Prince Fawaz is out of a half-sister to sire Casino Prince
Chris Waller’s previously unbeaten Kubrick (Shooting To Win) did an admirable job to take second money after racing wide in midfield and stablemate Reloaded (Snitzel) came from the back of the field to finish third.
The last-start Listed Phoenix S. winner Shadow Hero (Pierro) ran fourth and his effort was also full of merit after settling in the last two.
