Queensland Oaks winner Duais is set to kick off her spring in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle as trainer Edward Cummings plots a path to the 2021 Caulfield Cup.
The mare is also among acceptances for the Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, but Cummings says she will take her place at Newcastle, provided the track doesn’t deteriorate from its soft rating.
Duais proved herself one of the best staying fillies of her generation in the autumn, winning the Adrian Knox Stakes and finishing runner-up in the ATC Australian Oaks before giving her trainer his maiden Group 1 success in the Queensland classic.
Despite a minor setback when she missed a day’s work due to a cold, Duais has pleased Cummings in her build up.
However, the young trainer is keeping his feet on the ground until he sees her step up to the mark on race day.
“She is definitely a stronger horse, a bit more mature,” Cummings said.
“But it’s all academic until they step out at the races and have to take on the older horses.”
A field of 15 has been paid up for the Cameron Handicap (1500m) and in an open betting race, Rock and Frosty Rocks are equal $5 favourites, ahead of Duais at $6.
Cummings will be content to see a competitive return from his mare given loftier goals lay in store.
“Her main aim would be a Caulfield Cup. We will certainly set her on that path and if she continues to please us then we’ll keep heading that way,” Cummings said.
“If at any stage we feel like she’s not coping but she’s still got something to offer, we can fall back to a race like the Golden Eagle.”
