An idea originally hatched as a “loose plan” can come full circle for Edward Cummings when Duais runs for Group 1 glory in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks.
Cummings indicated Duais would have been in the spelling paddock had she won the ATC Oaks, but after she ran second in that race, the trainer kept the door open on a Queensland campaign.
“We wanted to wrap her up and give her a quiet time thereafter. We made a loose plan all depending on how she was feeling every step of the way,” Cummings said.
“She’s done everything really well since then. Good trial, great work in between, galloped at Eagle Farm course proper Saturday and her work (Tuesday) was excellent.”
Cummings has been involved with many Group 1 successes over the years, but this would be the first in his own right since setting up as a solo trainer at Hawkesbury two seasons ago.
“The fact I’m out on my own and I’ve been doing it on my own for two years now, it adds a little more flavour,” he said.
Cummings is adamant Duais is going just as well now, or if not better than she was in Sydney.
He won’t be blaming the 49 days between runs should she be beaten this weekend.
“I think we’re in a good position going towards the Oaks on Saturday and it’s an opportunity for our filly to notch up her first Group 1 win and hopefully cement her spot at the top of the tree for three-year-old staying fillies and hopefully get into some nice races in the spring,” he said.
Meanwhile Tony Gollan has tipped an improved showing from Doomben Roses flop Good Soize this weekend.
Gollan sent the filly out of the stable to have four days on the treadmill after she ran 11th in the Roses and is confident she will produce a much better showing this weekend.
“I think she’s a filly you have to be a bit more patient on, ride her for luck. We were exposed early and she was pretty plain late,” Gollan said of the Roses run.
“You will see her ridden more patiently and see a better result. We gave her four days on the treadmill and she has come back a happy filly.
“You will see a lot better filly this Saturday than what you saw in the Roses.”
