Traffic cop ready for Everest after injury scare

Trainer James Cummings says the traffic warden is fine representing Godolphin at Everest after reporting to stewards that the colt was involved in a stable accident.

Cummings reported to Racing NSW Stewards traffic officer that he had sustained minor abrasions to his ankles last Thursday.

“He got scared, slipped, got a graze, it’s something that’s very important to him,” Cummings said.

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“He’s absolutely fine, but we’re just ahead of doing the right thing if we focus on the race.

“The vets will come on Monday, they’ll come on Friday, and I’ve been around long enough to know if they come and see on Monday there’s a little bit of spatter and they’ll say, ‘What is that and why?’ didn’t you tell us?

“He is fresh and has worked wonderfully and we are happy with him for next week.”

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The traffic policeman enters the $20 million race on Saturday as a fit, mature three-year-old.

On 14 September he resumed his three-year-old season with victory in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill, before finishing second to stablemate Broadsiding in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill two weeks later .

This was the result of a long, two-year campaign that began in Sydney in December before a win at Caulfield before Christmas before Traffic Warden competed at the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

This included an unfortunate fourth place in the Group 1 Golden Slipper and a close second in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.

“I love the fact that as a three-year-old he was able to hit the ground running with that preparation,” Cummings said.

“His run in the Run To The Rose was excellent and it is an excellent race as a taste of what a three-year-old could offer.

“The horse meat in the enclosure for the Run To The Rose was very impressive, and he was the best on the ground, so he will go to Everest as an adult three-year-old having lost weight to 53 kilos under his weight-for-age scale.

“Weight for age is weight for age, there is no hiding there and he will have to fight off some tough horses.

“There are a whole host of mares in this year’s Everest, more than before, and a group of promising three-year-olds, of which he is one of four, assuming Storm Boy runs.”

“I think he (traffic officer) will pose a danger.”

-RAS NewsWire