Despite suffering a late drift with online bookmakers, the James Cummings-trained Cylinder (+140) proved too good in the Group 2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill on Saturday.
His return in the Group 3 Vain Stakes on August 19 may have left a bit to be desired; however, the Godolphin colt didn’t disappoint edging clear with the prize despite a checkered under Nash Rawiller.
He almost didn’t get clear when the race went on in the straight, crowded for room at a crucial stage.
It was a no-panic ride from the star hoop in the end though, as the gap came with 200m to go, allowing Cylinder enough time to build into the race, going on to score by a head on the line.
Moravia (+1300) was left to take up the running and showed plenty of cheek holding second position, while Nadal (+900) and Butch Cassidy (+750) were there to challenge in the closing stages.
2023 Group 2 Run To The Rose – Cylinder | J: Nash Rawiller | T: James Cummings
Cylinder managed to hold them off though, and with back-t0-back wins under his belt this preparation, it’s on to Group 1 company next-time out.
“He’s a crack colt,” said Cummings.
“He was our best two-year-old last season and it’s great for the stable he’s now come back and he’s two out of two.
“I think the Golden Rose looks very nice for the horse. He will have to stretch to seven (furlongs) but two runs under the belt, he can certainly do that.
“We should have our options open for all races. Perhaps it was the run of a horse who shouldn’t have won today and yet he managed to find a way to do it and that’s the mark of an exceptional horse.”
Nash Rawiller spoke about some nervous moments mid-race before getting clear and was relieved to get the gap.
“The key is to basically not put them into a position they can’t get out of,” said Rawiller.
“I tried to keep my options as open as I could from the most awkward position we were in. Thankfully we just conserved and conserved and conserved and when that gap eventually come he was explosive and you’re just praying to god that they get you out of trouble in those situations.
“I didn’t have a lot of options, he was where he was. From where he was I just had to make sure he travelled right.”
Cylinder is now a clear (+300) favourite with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Golden Rose on September 23.
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