THOUSANDS attended Tuesday’s state funeral for Bart Cummings with hundreds crammed into St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney for the service. Two New South Wales police horses formed a guard of honour for mourners arriving at the cathedral with eulogies delivered by Cummings’ son, Anthony, long-time family friend Malcolm Wutke and racing writer Tony Arrold.

“One of his favourite sayings was that there was no such word as no. His foresight for what became his industry, thoroughbred racing, has been uncannily accurate,” said Anthony who fondly recalled trips to New Zealand to buy yearlings. “His dream was to have his own property and Princes Farm became that place. A touch of Ireland, a touch of New Zealand, a lot of Bart. He bred and grew his own horses and had a fantastic record with horses off the farm. Three of my Group 1 winners were raised there. It was a lifelong passion realised.”

Vancouver away ’til autumn season

THE Golden Slipper winner Vancouver, part-owned by Coolmore, has gone to the paddock. Trainer Gai Waterhouse advised stewards on Tuesday that Vancouver will be spelled until the autumn. The Medaglia D’Oro colt was unbeaten until running fourth at his seasonal return in the San Domenico Stakes, a month ago.