Edward Cummings is full steam ahead toward the Queensland Oaks with Duais on Saturday, but another filly closer to home will have his full attention earlier in the day.
Three-year-old Obiri will line up in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (benchmark 72, 1800m) at Rosehill with Andrew Adkins aboard.
The daughter of So You Think finished ninth in her first-up run on the Kensington track two weeks ago.
But despite the finishing position, Edward Cummings was full of praise for Obiri.
“She was excellent. I think she had the fastest last 600 of the race and I am reliably informed that she had the best 800m-400m sectional of the day,” he said.
“It’s hard not to be happy with the run. She drew terribly and so we ended up having to go right back to last, but I was really happy with the way she finished off.
“From a very good draw on Saturday, she’ll be a lot closer in the run, I think 1800m will be perfect and I think she’ll be right in the finish.”
Obiri had only one run last campaign before being sent back out to the paddock after catching a virus.
The virus put a halt on proceedings for Cummings and his classy filly, with the Hawkesbury-based trainer having high hopes for his three-year-old.
“In another life, maybe we wouldn’t have gotten that virus and she would’ve been able to work through her grades in Sydney, and maybe have a run in an Oaks or in an Adrian Knox, or potentially have been saved for a Queensland Oaks,” he said.
“We just had to stop, get her right and treat her accordingly.
“So instead of running in an Oaks on Saturday, she’s in a 3yo 1800m race. I’ve always thought she would make a nice 2000m horse.”
Cummings will saddle up one of the favoured runners in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Duais hasn’t run since finishing second in the ATC Oaks in April but has been kept fit with a trial between runs.
The daughter of Shamus Award is currently $5.50 with tab.com.au and Cummings is relaxed heading into the Group 1 feature.
“(I’m) Calm, collected, happy that I’ve got a really nice filly,” he said.
“Hopefully she’s good enough to get the job done on Saturday.
