Trainer James Cummings is ready to take dual Group 2 winner Traffic Warden to the next level this autumn, with the three-year-old’s preparation set to begin at the Rosehill barrier trials on Thursday.
The Street Boss colt showed promise in his spring campaign, securing a win in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) and a placing in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1200m).
However, his campaign took a downturn after he was scratched at the barriers for the $20 million Group 1 The Everest (1200m) and then finished unplaced in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
Despite these setbacks, Cummings remains confident in Traffic Warden’s ability to claim a Group 1 victory.
“He’s a Run To The Rose winner, the quality of horses that have won that race speaks volumes about what class of horse he is,” Cummings said.
“A narrow second in the Golden Rose is not to be sneezed at either so I wouldn’t underestimate the horse.
“We can aim high with him, and the team remains extremely hopeful he has that big-race performance on the right day in him.”
Traffic Warden’s autumn campaign will begin with a first-up run next month before heading to the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) and the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Zac Lloyd has been booked to ride the colt in the 900-metre trial at Rosehill, marking the first step in what Cummings hopes will be a standout autumn for the promising sprinter.
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