Aft Cabin shows class

Aft Cabin is flip of the coin odds to win next month’s Randwick Guineas and make amends for missing last year’s Caulfield Guineas after his impressive first-up victory at Randwick on Saturday.

Aft Cabin’s spring carnival ended prematurely when bleeding from both nostrils seven days before the Caulfield Guineas, which he was widely expected to win after claiming the Caulfield Guineas Prelude by 3.5 lengths in driving rain.

After spending the mandatory three months away from the racetrack, Aft Cabin trialled impressively last month at Warwick Farm over 795 metres and then reinforced he’s lost no ability on Saturday.

Trained by James Cummings, Aft Cabin ($2.20 favourite) won the $200,000 G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) for three-year-olds in a blistering 1:08.85, the final 600m clocked in 33.55 seconds.

“I think we’re dealing with a very talented horse,” Cummings said. “He’s had a really uncomplicated preliminary in the build-up to this. He’s flying, there’s no doubt about it, he’s a class horse.”

James McDonald positioned Aft Cabin fourth, one off the fence, after his mount jumped quickly from barrier seven in the nine-horse field.

With market rival Zou Tiger ($3.90) placed under pressure around the home turn to his inside, McDonald produced Aft Cabin three wide on straightening and quickly assumed control of the race, striding clear to win by 1.75 lengths.

Zou Tiger rallied under the urgings of Tom Marquand, appearing flat-footed and appreciating getting to the outside of runners in closing for second. Communist ($10) and Brosnan ($61) rounded out the first four placegetters.

“He oozes so much quality, he floats across the ground, has an unbelievable turn of foot and can only improve off today’s outing,” McDonald said.

“He’ll only get better as he gets deeper into his prep. His coat still hasn’t come through.”

Cummings said Aft Cabin would have his next start in the $400,000 G2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on February 18, ahead of the $1m G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 4.

“He had so much promise in the spring and then it was cut short. We’ve got a very good team that rallied around him and gave him the time he needed,” Cummings said.

“We let nature take its course, we gave him a good spell, and provided he continues to return to scale with performances like that, and remains in perfect health, I feel like he’s in for a wonderful campaign.

“We can nominate him for all the wonderful races on Tuesday and now the pressure is on our horse. He will be put in the position to deliver when the big moments come around in the autumn.”