Upcoming trainer Edward Cummings, and grandson of the legendary Cup’s King Bart Cummings, celebrated his first Group 1 success at Eagle Farm in the Queensland Oaks with the star filly, Duais. Since then, Duais has continued her stellar performance on the racetrack with her recent victories in the 2022 TAB Australian Cup winner, and 2022 Kia Tancred Stakes winner, bringing her total winnings to $2.6million!

2021 Group 1 Queensland Oaks Winner

Despite leaving the barriers as the hot favourite, there was much talk about the filly in the build-up to the big race, after a seven-week break between races left the pundits questioning her fitness for the Oaks. There were no doubts however in the Cummings stable over Duais’ preparation, as the forward-thinking trainer chose to monitor her work using E-Trakka.

Above: Duais powers home under Hugh Bowman to win the Queensland Oaks by 2.5 lengths.

Duais’ talent was indicated on her E-Trakka readings at the very beginning of her career. Early in her 3yo campaign, and as an unfit horse, she showed a good heart rate profile through her work, and excellent recovery parameters. With help from E-Trakka, Cummings had high confidence in the filly’s ability, and trained her accordingly, without needing to test her fitness through racing.

Above: Duais showed talent on her E-Trakka readings from an early stage of her career. The reading shown above identifies her talents before they proven on the racetrack. 

From the start of her preparation, Cummings recorded 59 E-Trakka readings from Duais, building up a profile from which he could monitor her fitness and wellbeing. After a long slow build up towards the Oaks, the filly recorded impressive sectionals and a high peak speed, along with a quick heart rate recovery both immediately after the work and in the 2-5 minutes post gallop. This profile is indicative of a high-quality stayer and gave Cummings and his team the confidence to go straight to the Oaks despite seven weeks off the track.

Duais settled well at the rear of the Oaks field, under a cool ride from Hugh Bowman, picking through horses on the home turn into the straight. As soon as Bowman switched her to the outside, she powered home to win by an impressive 2.5 lengths, giving the Cummings stable that elusive maiden Group 1 win. Edward commented after the race: “If I had not had the E-Trakka data, I would not have been as confident going into the race. I knew I had left no stone unturned.”

Above: A first Group 1 win for Edward Cummings.

A new chapter has begun for the Cup’s King legacy, one that is connected to E-Trakka in more ways than one, with the E-Trakka founder himself, Andrew Stuart, being a previous disciple of the Cup’s King Bart Cummings. We look forward to following Duais through her career and watching this intelligent trainer following in the footsteps of his legendary grandfather.