It might be smack-bang in the middle of winter but James Cummings has got an early start on the spring preparations for some of his potential spring stars, including a couple of Group 1 winners.
Zardozi and Tom Kitten both trialled for the first time this campaign at Warwick Farm on Monday morning.
VRC Oaks winner Zardozi was given an easy time of things in the first 795-metre trial for open-class gallopers, finishing an untested sixth, just under 2-1/2 lengths from winner Northumbria.
The daughter of Kingman has not started since beating home all-bar Autumn Angel in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) on April 13, which came after a third placing in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) won by Kiwi star Orchestral.
She won out to the 2500m of the VRC Oaks last spring and her early appearance gives hope to the fact she might be seen in the first Group 1 of the new season, the 1400m Winx Stakes, which will be run at Randwick on August 24.
Zardozi was not Cummings’ only potential Winx Stakes starter who trialled on Monday morning with Pericles stepping out in the second 795m Open trial.
The gelding finished fourth, beaten 10 lengths by dominant winner Humming, at his first public appearance since his second placing in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on April 6.
The now-gelded Tom Kitten, winner of last year’s Spring Champion Stakes, went around in the other 795m trial, finishing fourth – beaten just under 1-3/4 lengths by Global Empire in his first outing since his fourth placing in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).