Duca Valentinois scored his first weight-for-age win in Saturday’s Lord Mayor’s Cup at Doomben but it might not be his last during the winter carnival.
The strength the six-year-old showed at the end of the Lord Mayor’s Cup could tempt trainer James Cummings to back him up at the Sunshine Coast next Saturday in the PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m).
“We haven’t really tried the horse much beyond the mile and it might be an interesting thought if we considered putting him on the quick back-up,” Cummings said.
“He’s fully wound up now, he’s deep into his preparation and put that solid win on the board.”
Cummings was satisifed with the effort of stablemate It’s Somewhat to finish fifth.
“He obviously needed the run after his setback last week and that’s how priceless it is to have them at that peak fitness,” he said.
Jockey Glyn Schofield’s mission to have Duca Valentinois in the clear with plenty of time to wind up came to fruition.
“Drawing gate one was a bit of a concern because he needs to find clear air to produce that nice finish that he’s got,” Schofield said.
“Once we peeled around the corner and got into that clear air it was never really in doubt for me.”
Duca Valentinois, the $3.40 favourite, surged clear to beat Sheiswhatsheis ($10) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Coldstone ($20) a long neck away third.
