Anthony Cummings trains the Stradbroke Handicap favourite and after Fontelina’s win at Scone on Saturday, he could also be training one of the main dangers to top colt Your Song.
Cummings confirmed Fontelina would have his next start in the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8 after the four-year-old gave nothing else a chance in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes.
Fontelina - Photo by Steve Hart
Giving Cummings a race-to-race double and jockey Peter Robl three successive wins at the feature meeting, Fontelina ($5) overcame a wide draw to lead most of the way.
He ran a sizzling 33.5 seconds for the final 600m, making it impossible for the backmarkers to get into the race.
The $2.60 favourite Riva De Lago finished 1-1/2 lengths second after his chances nose-dived when he was skittled not long after the field settled properly into stride.
Decision Time ($7.50) was another half neck away third.
“He seems better with a bit of space between his runs and he’ll go into the Stradbroke without another start,” Cummings said.
“His best runs this time in were at weight-for-age behind Pierro and it’s nice that he has been able to bring that form here.”
Robl said Fontelina had the race won as soon as he was able to slow the tempo when he found the front.
“He’s run home in 33.5 so they had no hope of catching him,” the jockey said.
