Matt Cumani will take a special interest in the Coongy Cup as he is hoping the winner will be a horse who won’t back up in the Caulfield Cup.
As it stands, Cumani’s imported galloper San Huberto is on the cusp of getting into the Caulfield Cup field, which will be announced after the running of the Coongy Cup on Wednesday.
The winner of the midweek feature gains an automatic berth in Saturday’s $5 million Caulfield Cup.
“I’m not sure exactly where he sits. Maybe around second emergency but then there’s the Coongy and we’ll have to see what the winner does, plus horses might change their path depending on the weather,” Cumani said.
“I’m going to prepare him as if he’s in and we’re planning and programming for Saturday.”
Cumani went to Werribee on Tuesday morning to watch San Huberto gallop and he was pleased with what he saw.
“He’s very athletic and he’s got a nice action and a good pedigree,” Cumani said.
Cumani said he was still learning about San Huberto and had been in constant dialogue with his former French trainer Fabrice Chappett.
Two starts ago, San Huberto, who is owned by OTI Racing, finished third at Longchamp in a Group Two race over 2800m.
He then failed in the Group Two Prix Kergorlay where he struggled on a wet track.
If San Huberto can get into the 2020 Caulfield Cup field, Fred Kersley will ride him.
If he doesn’t gain a run, he will go to next Wednesday’s Geelong Cup where he will be ridden by Damien Oliver.
Caulfield trainer Robert Hickmott will be trying to win his way into the Caulfield Cup via the Coongy with former German galloper Django Freeman.
Django Freeman is the only horse still in Saturday’s race who isn’t qualified and he’s number 41 in the order of entry.
Hickmott said Django Freeman is ready to peak in Wednesday’s feature.
