Godolphin and trainer James Cummings had hoped Golden Mile would make his mark in the breeding barn, but the now-gelding remains a key part of their team.
The son of Astern will step into the second phase of his career in this Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick.
After winning the 2022 Caulfield Guineas, Golden Mile briefly stood at stud for $16,500 at Sheikh Mohammed’s Northwood Park base. However, after covering 14 mares, he was injured, retired from stud duties, and gelded.
Cummings is eager to see what Golden Mile can do this weekend, saying, “We’d be thrilled to see him convert on what he’s been showing us on the track over the past couple of months.”
This race marks Golden Mile’s first start since a third-place finish in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) on May 4. With five wins and over $4.3m in earnings, he carries 58.5kg, with Adam Hyeronimus aboard from barrier six. He is a $11 chance with betting apps.
Cummings also has two-year-old Comedy racing in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes, and he is excited to see him stretch out to 1200m. “He’ll eat up the ground,” Cummings said, with Comedy considered a strong contender against favourite Shaggy.