Last Druid likely for Valley return

Always thinking ahead, James Cummings and Godolphin are expected to head back to Moonee Valley with last start runner-up Last Druid.

Thinking long term with the colt, Cummings said a 1200m race for three-year-olds at The Valley on Saturday would be an ideal stepping stone to a Stakes race back at that track a fortnight later.

The colt who is out of Lonhro’s sister Shannara, caught the eye over 1000m when second to Blue Stratum at The Valley’s first meeting back after a track renovation on August 10.

It was a ‘flashing light’ run with Last Druid in last position nearing the turn before weaving a passage through the field and just failing.

The Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 7 is in the back of Cummings’ mind for Last Druid.

“We haven’t fully settled on a plan yet, but we’re interested in a three-year-old set-weight and penalties 1200 (metres) at Moonee Valley on Saturday,” Cummings said.

“And if that goes well, he could be a McKenzie horse, if he could keep progressing.

“He looks like a quick horse. He savaged the line over five furlongs and just went down.”

Last Druid ran the quickest final 600m, 400m and 200m of the meeting at The Valley and the form from the race was tested on Saturday with the winner Blue Stratum finishing fourth in the Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield.

Cummings said he wasn’t shocked to see the closing sectionals of Last Druid at The Valley.

“He savaged the line,” Cummings said.

“It was a huge eye-catching performance. He was all over the winner late.

“He seems to me to still be putting it together and that is something we’ve got to work on and there is no doubt he is promising.”

Stablemate Polyglot, a son of Lonhro, is among early nominations for Saturday’s race.

Polyglot was a last start maiden winner over Let’Sfacethemusic who was beaten a half-length by Band Of Brothers in the Vain Stakes on Saturday.