James Cummings believes recent editions of the Group One BMW provide a reason for optimism with stakeswinning stayer Precedence.Cummings, foreman in Sydney for his legendary grandfather Bart, says Precedence needs to run the race of his life to topple the fancied stayers on Saturday but the honour roll shows no horse can be discounted."What I will say is that the race has a history of throwing up mixed results," Cummings said.Since the year 2000 there have been several surprises with Curata Stor
James Cummings believes recent editions of the Group One BMW provide a reason for optimism with stakeswinning stayer Precedence.
Cummings, foreman in Sydney for his legendary grandfather Bart, says Precedence needs to run the race of his life to topple the fancied stayers on Saturday but the honour roll shows no horse can be discounted.
"What I will say is that the race has a history of throwing up mixed results," Cummings said.
Since the year 2000 there have been several surprises with Curata Storm ($101 in 2001), Freemason ($31 in 2003), Blutigeroo ($11 in 2007), Fiumicino ($31 in 2009), Littorio ($17 in 2010) and Cedarberg ($26 in 2011) all successful in the weight-for-age contest over 2400m.
Precedence hit the front in the straight last Saturday in the Listed Manion Cup (2400m) before Permit sprinted quickly to gather him in and win by a long head.
"He has been eating up and came through that run in good condition," Cummings said.
"The weight difference between the two horses certainly didn't help him last start and he was the horse that hit the front early in the straight and was there to be beaten.
"The favourite was fit enough and good enough to beat him but he only just got there and Precedence was coming at him again on the line.
"It was a good effort from the horse."
Precedence's weight-for-age record isn't the best but the six-year-old is trained by the master in Bart Cummings.
The gelding was at $15 with TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday in the 10-horse field which includes 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain ($2 fav), Australian Cup and Ranvet Stakes winner Manighar ($4) and last year's Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed ($8.50).
"He's going to have to run the race of his life on Saturday," James Cummings said.
"He's none for 11 at weight-for-age. He's had plenty of chances to win a Group One so far but he's a Zabeel who is possibly coming to the best form of his life.
"Certainly he's back to where he was when he was winning Moonee Valley Cups and JRA Cups (in 2010).
"If he was to bounce back and run a blinder he'd be in the mix."
Michael Rodd, who has ridden Precedence at his past two starts for an Australian Cup fourth and Manion Cup second, has the ride again.
Americain got his first look at Rosehill on Tuesday in an early morning course proper gallop with race jockey Gerald Mosse in the saddle.
He will wear concussion plates in front on Saturday due to the likelihood of a firm track.