James Cummings is the trainer for whom William Pike has had the most rides without a win, but the odds favour their first victory in tandem being the Winterbottom Stakes, the Group One sprint over 1,200 metres at Ascot.
Cummings has engaged Pike’s services 10 times, but The Wizard is yet to salute the judge in Godolphin’s royal blue colours, posting three seconds, one third, two fourths, one seventh, one eighth, one 10th and one 11th. Special Snap’s 0.4-length runner-up result at Bendigo is the closest Cummings and Pike have come to a victory together, the front-running mare specialising in second placings.
But if you think Cummings and Pike, who will combine with Winterbottom Stakes favourite Trekking, are having a rough trot as associates, spare a thought for Justin Warwick and Patrick Carbery. Warwick trains Noir De Rue, which Carbery will partner in the Tattersall’s Cup. Carbery has ridden 34 Warwick-prepared runners for zero wins. Now that hurts.
I would love you to visit my blog every day for its daily serve of fresh content. But I would love you more if you hired me. I am well-bred, by Racing Post out of WA Turf Club. I am well-rounded, a winner over many courses and distances. And I am well-placed, available to add value to your existing team. Do the form on a racing, wagering and communications thoroughbred at markworwood.com.
