If Anthony Cummings was relying on the barrier draws to help him decide where to run Fontelina on Saturday he would have been disappointed.
The smart sprinter came up with gate 14 in both the Group Three BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben and the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) at Scone.
In the end, Cummings has opted for the option closer to home.
“He runs at Scone rather Brisbane. He drew badly in both but it’s a cheaper bus fare,” Cummings said.
A full field of 16 plus one reserve was paid up for the Luskin Star with weights headed by the classy Decision Time at 60.5kg while Fontelina has 58kg.
A Group Two winner at Flemington during the spring carnival, Fontelina’s four runs this campaign point to him measuring up well on Saturday.
All have been in Group One company, including a solid fifth to Pierro in the George Ryder Stakes when he was beaten less than 1-1/2 lengths.
He hasn’t started since finishing down the track in the Doncaster Mile, a race Cummings said didn’t pan out for his charge.
“The 1600 metres is probably at the outer end of the distance range for him and on the heavy track it really told,” Cummings said.
“He hit the front at the top of the straight but couldn’t sustain it, but that was no disgrace.
“I put him out on the water walker after that and he goes into this in good shape.”
Cummings confirmed Fontelina was being aimed at the Group One Stradbroke Handicap during the Brisbane winter carnival.
He already has the favourite for that race in Your Song.
