The blue colours of Godolphin have a host of chances on the Gold Coast this Saturday, and none looks more promising than four-year-old mare Manicure. 

By Exceed and Excel, trainer James Cummings has already earned over $226,000 in prize-money with the promising young speedster, who will go around as the $2.60 favourite after firming from $4.40 in the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares (1300m) race.

Manicure (No. 9), won first-up at Doomben last weekend in the Magic Millions Nudgee Stakes. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.

Having not raced since April, Manicure’s first-up win at Doomben last week was impressive. Returning to the track as a mare, she won by a length and a half in the Nudgee Stakes (1200m), and now looks to be the class of the field this weekend on the Gold Coast.

Cummings always knew improvement was right around the corner, and the champion trainer feels confident in her chances against a quality field that features last year’s winner, Invincibella.

“She was open to improvement, she shot to the front and she was fit first-up, it was a qualifying race where she really needed to go there and win it, and it was also her first black-type win, so great for her page,” Cummings told Sky Racing on Saturday.

“She was a good filly last prep, and she’s come back an even better mare. There’s a lot of masculinity about her actually, I can see her being very competitive against these mares, she’s gone right ahead in her work, and she looks to have tightened up nicely for the second-up run.”

Manicure has drawn barrier 7 for the $1 million race, but more importantly carries 56kg with jockey James McDonald on board. Invincibella’s win last year came under 55.5kg, but with the top-weight of 59kg’s this weekend, the $3.80 chance will have her work cut out.