Godolphin trainer James Cummings says the availability of a jump-out at Flemington will not hinder the Group 1 aspirations of Traffic Warden on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Traffic Warden contested an 800m jump-out at Flemington on Friday, a heat that had a number of potential opponents in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Yoshinobu won the jump-out with Traffic Warden in fourth place, just ahead of Switzerland.
Also in the jump-out were Coleman, Gatsby’s, Daggers and Stanley Express.
Traffic Warden made his way to Melbourne last week having been scratched from The Everest on October 19 after playing up in the gates.
“It’s only been a few days, but he’s travelled down to Melbourne and has settled in calmly,” Cummings said.
“He’s had a jump-out down the straight at Flemington which will fit him up for the Coolmore.
“Jamie Kah held the colt together nicely.
“We had him quite fit and ready to go for The Everest and he didn’t need too much in the way of a lung burner, so he just had a good look around and he did so.”
Traffic Warden hasn’t raced since finishing second to Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 28.
At his start prior, Traffic Warden scored a first-up win in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m).
Victorious in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in the autumn, Traffic Warden then ran fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill.
Godolphin had the option of pressing on towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in which Broadsiding ran fourth, but Cummings thought the Coolmore Stud Stakes was a better option for the colt.
“The form through the Run To The Rose and the Golden Rose is outstanding, and the market had enormous respect for the horse in The Everest itself,” Cummings said.
“I thought his return in the Run To The Rose gave us the insight that we needed to see him be our Coolmore Stud Stakes horse and it’s been the target for him throughout the preparation.
“The Everest did not go the way you would like it, but you’ve got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move on, which we have done, and we plan to have him perfect for the Coolmore.
“The jump-out up the straight is a really useful tool to have the horse ready for the Coolmore, so given that was only six days after The Everest, it is something of a blessing that we were able to utilise it in readiness for the weekend.”
