Anthony Cummings admits he is playing catch-up with two horses he hopes can still play a part in the Melbourne spring carnival.
High Above was withdrawn from Saturday’s Thousand Guineas at Caulfield due to mucus in her airways while Road To Shangri La disappointed at his most recent start when unplaced in the Gloaming Stakes.
The filly holds an entry to the VRC Oaks while Road To Shangri La is nominated for the Victoria Derby.
“High Above galloped the other day and was fine but when we scoped her there was mucus present,” Cummings said.
“She is healthy and well in all other respects but she needs to have a clear scope to race.
“We will do it again early this week and if it is clear she will run in a 1600 metre race at Caulfield on Wednesday then in a Group Two fillies race over the same distance at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day ten days later.
“Road To Shangri La was disappointing the other day in the Gloaming.
“He will run over a mile (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday and then we will see where we go from there.
“I’d like to take him to Melbourne.”
In 2012, the Cummings-trained Fiveandahalfstar won a maiden at Canterbury, a benchmark 72 at Rosehill and the Victoria Derby within 17 days.
“I’m not sure if Road To Shangri La is up to that sort of program,” Cummings said.
“But the idea is to get these horses into the big races.”
Cummings does believe former Hong Kong horse Aomen can get to Group One company as long as he remains sound.
The Cummings-trained Thunder Fantasy, third in last year’s Victoria Derby, is now racing in Hong Kong for Aomen’s owner who sent the latter to Australia to recover from a tendon injury.
He showed his class with a win at Randwick on Saturday which Cummings hopes will translate to a big-race wins.
“The Railway Stakes in Perth is a race we have in mind,” Cummings said.
“The Emirates at Flemington is also there as long as he copes with racing.”
