Peter Robl has chosen to stick with the promising Drago in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Peter Rpbl has chosen to ride Drago, above, over stablemate Cluster in the Golden Rose at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Robl had the choice between the two Anthony Cummings trained three year olds, Drago and Cluster, and decided to stay with the Danehill Dancer colt.
Cummings left the decision up to Robl who had ridden both colts at theirprevious starts, and he chose Drago after an impressive early morning Randwick gallop.
“Peter did have the option. We talked about the pros and cons of both horses. After riding Drago this morning he was certain he could win, so I think he is pretty happy with the choice he has made,” Cummings said.
“James McDonlad rode Cluster and he was very happy.”
“So I’ve got two nice horses going in there and got riders who are very happy and very pleased to be on board.”
Cummings has a high opinion of both three year olds and is banking on a solid pace up front to give Drago every chance of running home over the top of the leaders.
“I’d be surprised if there wasn’t good speed in the race, and that gives a horse like Drago his best opportunity,” Cummings said.
“He is going to run very well. His work since his first up second has been excellent and he is ready to run a very strong 1400m.”
Robl was aboard Drago at his first run back from a spell when he finished strongly for a second to War in the Group 3 $125,000 IBIS Styles Lansvale Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) at Warwick Farm on August 24.
And he also rode Cluster when he was beaten less than two lengths when fifth to Va Pensiero in the Group 3 $125,000 MTA NSW Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on August 31.
Cluster, with James McDonald to ride, is the best of Cummings’ pair in the market order at $9 and has drawn favourably at barrier seven while Drago is marked as a $13 chance after drawing gate thirteen in the seventeen horse field.
The unlucky Prince Harada (barrier 1) heads the betting at $4.20 with rival Victorian Fast ‘N’ Rocking (barrier 5) on the second line at $6 while the Chris Waller trained Zoustar (barrier 17) is splitting Cumming’s pair at $11.
