Last Hurrah for Godolphin’s Melbourne Stable

A chapter in Australian racing history is set to close at Caulfield on Saturday, as Godolphin prepares to farewell its Crown Lodge operation at Flemington and send out the last stakes runners trained by James Cummings for the global powerhouse, reports racenet.com.au. The Bletchingly Stakes marks not just the end of an era, but the beginning of a new chapter, with Cummings departing for Hong Kong and Godolphin shifting its Melbourne horses to new hands – a situation that will be repeated in Sydney. Under the direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Godolphin has opted to discontinue its private training mode. Horses from its Victorian base will now be trained by the likes of Ciaron Maher, Ben, Will and JD Hayes, Chris Waller and long-time collaborators Anthony and Sam Freedman. The Flemington team departs with an impressive record of 101 stakes wins, 19 at Group 1 level, and a roll of honour featuring Anamoe, Cascadian and Tom Kitten. Godolphin’s Melbourne representative Nacim Dilmi confirmed they will bid for a third Bletchingly victory with a trio of runners: Inhibitions, Kin and Kallos. “It’s going to be a sad day for us as they will be our last runners,” Dilmi conceded. “We’re hoping they can end things with a great result.” Inhibitions and Kallos will be second-up, while Kin returns after a solid fifth in the Sir John Monash Stakes. “Inhibitions ran well first-up and she has done well since but, without seeing the weather forecast, she’d like some juice in the track,” Dilmi said. “Kin likes racing at Caulfield and did a good job in the Monash. Kallos will improve off his first-up run.” Dilmi noted the stable’s numbers had dwindled to ten in recent weeks as horses were gradually moved to their new trainers. “We’re cleaning up the stables and packing up all the gear, keeping the staff busy,” he said. “We started quite a while ago, every time the horses departed, so there’s not too much to do at the end. Chris Waller is taking over Carbine Lodge so we want to give him the stable in the best condition.” Meanwhile, Cummings is expected to join staff in Melbourne on Thursday for a farewell drink before Saturday’s final runners take to the track. “It will be a good send-off,” said Dilmi. “There’s a lot to celebrate. It will be quite emotional next Saturday, for sure.”