Trainer Anthony Cummings has been awarded for his patience with unlucky colt Cluster after the three-year-old was able to secure a run in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) that will take place at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Cluster finished an unlucky second behind Va Pensiero in the San Domenico Stakes last month. Photo by: Steve Hart
Cluster looked as though he was going to miss out on a place in the Golden Rose final field, because he had not accumulated enough prizemoney, but with connections of several horses higher up the order of entry not accepting for the race, he was able to sneak into the field.
The Fastnet Rock colt was unlucky not to lose his maiden status when he finished second behind Va Pensiero in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m), after being held up for a run in the final stages of the race, and finishing strongly when fifth in the Group 3 The Run To The Rose (1200m) despite once again being blocked for a run.
Cummings told TVN yesterday that he considered running Cluster in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday as a last ditch effort to get the three-year-old into the field but said he was glad his patient approach has worked out.
“About a week ago I warmed to the idea that he would get a run,” Cummings said.
“We tossed up about running in the Ming Dynasty but elected not to.
“I spoke to (owner) Peter Moran on the nomination day for that, it was just the wrong thing to do so we didn’t even nominate, we took the odds to it and here we are.”
Cluster finally received a bit of luck when he drew barrier seven at the Golden Rose barrier draw at The Star Casino yesterday morning and Cummings is hopeful that this newfound luck will stick around for the $1 million race on Saturday.
“The fact that he is due an ounce of luck in a race one day, he has finally drawn a gate, he had no luck first-up in the San Domenico Stakes and same again last start,” Cummings said.
“He is entitled to get some this week and if he does he will be very hard to beat.”
Cummings also has Drago in the Golden Rose field and is chasing his second victory in the race after winning with Duporth in 2008.
