Blue-blooded Prince Fawaz broke the ice with a powerful maiden win at Randwick last
Saturday over 1400 metres earning his ticket to Brisbane with Kerrin McEvoy now
booked to partner him in the last juvenile Group I event of the season.Fifth in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes to Castelvecchio at just his second start, Prince Fawaz was luckless when unplaced in a maiden at Newcastle last start before coming out to beat highly rated Snitzel colt Reloaded.
"Because he has got so much talent, I put a bit of pressure on him to have a shot at the Champagne Stakes at his second start when he ran fifth,'' Cummings said.
"While he was ready for the mile he wasn't ready to run track record time that day but he learned from that. Often I find with these young horses if you put then in a pressure environment it helps them.
"The only thing that will happen between now and the JJ Atkins is the float trip.
"He's very fit and improving with racing. The mile at Eagle Farm will suit him better.''
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Baramul Stud draft for his trainer, Prince Fawaz is the second winner from Lady Paget, a half-sister by Testa Rossa to Group I winner and sire Casino Prince (also trained by Cummings) , Group III winner Tagus and stakes-winners Law of the Land and Metallurgical.
In recent years, the JJ Atkins has proven a guide for future success with past winners including subsequent spring Group I winners The Autumn Sun and Press Statement, while second place-getters Zoustar and Brazen Beau are now among our leading young sires.
