Racing: The business of winning is in the blood

Bart Cummings always reckoned he taught his son well.

At times, a little too well.

Bart and Anthony stood not far apart in the enclosure at Randwick yesterday both deeply immersed in the family business. Not partners, but rivals. Father and son.

The business at hand was the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), one of those races that good horses and good trainers like to have on their CV.

Savabeel won it last year as a warm-up for his Cox Plate. Gay Icarus, Kingston Town, Beau Zam and horses of that calibre have used it as a launching pad for greatness.

Eight years ago Tie The Knot won it on his way to a long string of major races. His famous red and white colours were going round in yesterday's race on his half-brother Dream Ballad.

Bart Cummings' horse Pendragon was carrying the silks made famous by Saintly.

Bart's eyes narrowed as he saw how the race unfolded. Pendragon, with Rodney Quinn up as a last-minute substitute for the injured Hugh Bowman, settled near the rear of the field and tracked Dream Ballad, figuring it would sprint home and drag Pendragon into the race.

By contrast Anthony Cummings' horse Hotel Grand (Jay Ford) whipped across from barrier 10 and took up a prominent position early.

It proved to be the decisive move.

Dream Ballad could not sprint home like his big brother and by the time Quinn got Pendragon into the race it was all over.

The Cummings family had the quinella, and for the first time Anthony had put one over his dad in a Group One finish.

"Sorry, but I'm really pleased," he said as he clapped his father on the shoulder near the winner's stall.

Bart accepted defeat in good grace and muttered something about being glad it had been kept in the family. "Saves him borrowing off me," he added, poker-faced.

Australia's master trainer, with 11 Melbourne Cups under his belt, seems to have lost the knack of winning Group One races.

His latest was Magical Miss in the VRC Oaks four years ago, which is a long time between drinks for someone with 244 of them in the bank.

It was his son's fourth Group One victory, so Cummings Snr could afford to be philosophical.

Now 77, he will press on with plans to run Pendragon in the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield and then the Victoria Derby.

Anthony has the Cox Plate and the Derby in his sights for Hotel Grand.

People like the Cummings don't dwell too long on their triumphs.

Racing is strictly business. Enjoy the moment, then get on with the next one.

Was there any sentiment attached to knocking off the old man, Anthony was asked.

"No. Just money," he replied.

Yes, Bart has taught him well.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY