Lightly Raced Xtravagant Filly Arts Romps in Adrian Knox

Mark Smith - Saturday April 1

The Cummings brothers, James and Edward, have divided up the last four runnings of the Group III Tab Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, and it was Edward’s turn with the Xtravagant filly Arts.

It's tough going at Randwick (image Steve Hart)

Edward Cummings won the race in 2021 with the Shamus Award filly Duais who ran second to Hungry Heart in the ATC Australian Oaks at her next start. Cummings hopes to go one better with Arts, who ploughed through the heavy conditions under Sam Clipperton to defeat the Tarzino filly Mountain Guest by four and a quarter lengths, with Contributer (IRE) filly Premise a half-neck back in third.

Making just her third start, Arts was coming off a 15-length last in the Group III Kembla Grange Classic after debuting with a win on the same track on February 23.

“It probably surprised me how well she sprinted at the end of that race, given that she seemed to be very well on the bridle all the way through,” Cummings said.

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“But it’s a great sign, not only for her, obviously fabulous for the stable and in particular, I’ve got to say a great result for Newhaven Park, who have been big supporters of mine. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to train a very talented young filly.

“She arrived midway through last year. She needed a little introductory preparation or two before we started getting serious. We felt like she was a nice horse from early on, but it would always be a matter of time.

“We wanted to have her in this time of year; she’s incredibly lightly raced. She’s just gone from strength to strength. What you see today is also an incredibly raw filly. She’s the most lightly raced horse in the field, and we’re very excited about what she could do. Hopefully, in seven days (the Oaks), but we’ll take our time.”

A homebred for Newhaven Park Stud, Arts is the best of five winners from seven to race for the winning Rubiton mare Graphic.

A daughter of the Listed Twilight Glow Stakes winner and multiple Group II-placed Bumtious (Quest For Fame), Graphic was sold by Newhaven to DJ Love for $4,750 at the 2021 Inglis June (Late) Online Sale.

Ajax Bloodstock shelled out $50,000 for a sister to Arts at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Showcase Session.

Graphic foaled an Overshare colt last spring.

Arts is the fifth stakes-winner for Newhaven Park Stud’s dual Group 1 winning Pentire (GB) stallion Xtravagant who covered his biggest ever book of 141 mares last spring at an increased fee of $24,750.

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Race Result - Tab Adrian Knox Stakes Gr3 2000m

Randwick Track: Heavy(8) Time: 2:12.33
1
Arts
- 3f Xtravagant (NZ) x Graphic (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: Edward Cummings Rdr: S Clipperton 55
2
4.3
Mountain Guest
- 3f Tarzino (NZ) x Eleesha (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: Damian Lane 55
3
4.5
Premise
- 3f Contributer (IRE) x Sharp Proposition (NZ) (Guillotine (NZ))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: C Schofield 58
4
4.8
Sequestered
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Abduction (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J B Mc Donald 58
5
5.6
Whisker To Whisker
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Zanbagh (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Brock Ryan 55
6
6.1
Eau De Vie
- 3f Snitzel (AUS) x C'Est Beau La Vie (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: Richard & Will Freedman Rdr: Z Purton 56.5
7
7.0
Fay's Angels
- 3f Anacheeva (AUS) x Mo Vo (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Ms K Owen Rdr: Reece Jones 55
8
7.7
Silvakia
- 3f Reliable Man (GB) x Slovakian (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Tyler Schiller 55.5
9
12.9
Candy Love
- 3f Savabeel (AUS) x Absolutely Me (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Tim Clark 55.5
10
13.2
Hoops
- 3f Tivaci (AUS) x Caramel Sundae (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: John Allen 58
11
15.3
Madalsa
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Adawiyah (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: T Marquand 55.5
12
27.2
Premierro
- 3f Pierro (AUS) x Manhattan Muse (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Moreira 55.5
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