Trainer James Cummings remains tight-lipped about future plans for Rosehill Guineas winner Broadsiding, though an international campaign is still under consideration.
Broadsiding had to work hard to secure his fourth Group 1 victory after being caught wide early due to an outside draw. Jockey James McDonald made an aggressive early move to find cover, using extra energy in the process.
McDonald admitted it was a tough call but felt it was the right decision.
“It was one of those moments where you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t, so we rolled the dice, had a crack, paid off,” McDonald said.
“There was no real plan, just go with the flow. At the first bend, I thought, oh no, then one worked out. I ended up with the one-one (one out, one back) and it was a good win.”
Broadsiding ($2.90 betting sites favourite) hit the front early in the straight and fought off a determined challenge from Swiftfalcon ($3.90), but had to hold off a late charge from Aeliana ($5.50), who closed rapidly.
Aeliana fell just short, missing by a short half-head, while Swiftfalcon was another three-quarters of a length away in third.
“He’s probably not a genuine 2000 metre horse, but he is a brilliant horse and he has got up and won the Rosehill Guineas so fair play to him,” Cummings said.
“He has probably done it the hard way and his performance is worth reflecting on, so before I go and rule him out of other 2000 metre races in the future, it’s worthwhile saying that.”
Cummings saw the Rosehill Guineas as “something of an audition” for Broadsiding, acknowledging that an overseas campaign was still a possibility for the talented colt.
“He’s a lot like his sire, I feel, and having had some interesting discussions with some people in the Northern Hemisphere, I think it’s worthwhile keeping that in mind,” Cummings said.
“So we won’t go to the (Australian) Derby but we will keep at least another run in mind for him.
“He’s got so much speed about him and he’s a genuine Group One horse. We’ve got options.”
The Doncaster Mile remains in consideration, though Cummings expressed concerns about Broadsiding’s weight assignment.
Meanwhile, Swiftfalcon could take his place in the Doncaster, with jockey Tyler Schiller believing the drop back to a mile would be beneficial.
“He has come up against a couple of cracking horses. Back to a mile in the Doncaster will suit him perfectly,” Schiller said.
