“We felt like we had our horses firing there on the weekend and unfortunately we came away without a winner, but Pinito was huge in the Oaks, Lavalier ran another very good race in the Derby and Golden Mile was really worth a cheer in the Kingsford Smith Cup.
“And that bodes well for his chances in the Stradbroke. It’s the first time he’s been on the seven-day back-up and it’s off the back of one of his peak career performances, against a very good sprinter.
“Only being beaten narrowly by Joliestar reads really well for dropping back to 53.5 kilograms in a handicap.”
Zebra Finch, a $13 hope in the JJ Atkins from gate one with Kerrin McEvoy to ride, gives Cummings another chance. The colt broke through at his third start two weeks ago on a heavy Rosehill track to earn a shot at the mile feature for two-year-olds.
“Zebra Finch has drawn well to run a real race in the JJ Atkins,” Cummings said.
“We’re happy with the way he’s trained on and the prep he’s had. He’s been brought alone patiently and goes into the race off a classy Sydney win.
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“He’s a horse we’ve been very keen to see out to 1600 metres, and he raced a bit like that over 1300 at Rosehill. Further will be ideal for him, and it gives him the opportunity to perhaps make the progress he needs to against those more established two-year-olds, but it’s the right year for a horse like him to challenge.”
Cummings also has Pisces ($6) in the group 3 Gunsynd Classic.
At Rosehill, Cummings has genuine chances with his three runners, Crocodile ($4.40, race one), Snack Bar ($3.70, seven) and Drift Net ($7, 10).
