Anthony Cummings’ stable star Fiveandahalfstar is recovering well from a fetlock injury and a Spring Carnival campaign is still on the cards.
Fiveandahalfstar winning the G1 BMW at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Cummings had to spell Fiveandahalfstar after winning the Group 1 $2.25m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 6 after pulling up sore but is hopeful he will be fit in time for the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington are high priority for Cummings
Fiveandahalfstar ended a frustrating run of seconds in the Autumn with his narrow win in the BMW but Cummings had to call an end to his campaign early and miss the Group 1 $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick the following week.
“Fiveandahalfstar’s doing the controlled exercise ‘thing’ in the stable but I plan to send him to the spelling paddock in two weeks,” Cummings said.
“He has been our star and to see him win The BMW and the Derby were real highlights but overall, this has been a very good season so far for the stable.”
Cummings was referring to Fiveandahalfstar’s win in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington last Spring and believes his will fly the stable flag again this year.
The Hotel Grand gelding did have a tough Autumn and was placed four times prior to his BMW win including collecting two runner-up cheques at Group 1 level.
The three year old went down in a tight photo finish to Super Cool in the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 9 followed by a second to the Chris Waller trained Foreteller in the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 23.
Cummings is chasing another Group 1 on Saturday at Eagle Farm with smart three year old Your Song in the Group 1 $400,000 Bundaberg Distilling Co. BTC Cup (1200m).
The Randwick trainer has always held a high opinion of the Fastnet Rock colt and will certainly find out his potential when he comes up against tough Group 1 competitors Buffering, Rain Affair and Sea Siren.
“We have brought him along steadily with Brisbane in mind. He won a barrier trial last Friday very easily and he worked well on the course proper at Randwick on Tuesday,” Cummings said.
“I’m sure he is going well enough to run very well in the BTC Cup, they can’t afford to take him too lightly.”
Your Song is a $10 chance in early markets with local sprinter Buffering the top fancy at $2.40 to breakthrough for his maiden Group 1 victory ahead of Rain Affair and Sea Siren at $5.
Eagle Farm trained Better Than Ready is the next in the betting at $6.50 and will get his chance to produce his strong finish with noted front runners Rain Affair and Buffering guaranteed to set a hot pace.
