It has been a bumpy start to the spring for Anthony Cummings but he is hoping Libertini can right the ship when she takes on two of the country’s best sprinters at Randwick.
Cummings had carnival ambitions for Prince Fawaz and Mizzy but both have succumbed to minor ailments and won’t be seen again until the autumn.
Thankfully the news is better for Libertini, who will resume in the Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
In a planned move, the mare will clash with leading Everest fancies Nature Strip and Classique Legend as Cummings looks to give her every opportunity to showcase her claims to the $15 million race.
Cummings says there has been interest in Libertini from slot holders but if she doesn’t gain a start, she will contest the Sydney Stakes on the Everest undercard as a consolation.
“She is easily forward and well enough to go to the races and I expect her to run up to her best,” Cummings said.
“She will improve off that into the run in two weeks time on Everest day.
“It could be in The Everest, it might be the other race. I suppose that’s a matter for other people.”
Libertini was found to have an issue after two below par runs in the autumn but her trials and trackwork indicate she is back to full health.
At her best, Cummings believes the four-year-old is capable of matching strides with Nature Strip and Classique Legend.
“The nature of her work and the ease with which she runs time puts her in their ball park and then it’s a matter of match fitness,” Cummings said.
“At the end of the day, whatever will be, will be.”
Cummings will also saddle up runners in the first two-year-old races of the Sydney season with Lovemetender in the Gimcrack Stakes and Lease in the Breeders’ Plate.
Lovemetender is owned by the Ramsey family who are looking for Gimcrack redemption.
They had Kanga’s Eye finish a luckless second in the corresponding race four years ago when she missed the start and stormed home to be beaten three-quarters of a length by Jorda.
“When they sent this filly to me the only instruction was ‘I want her in the Gimcrack’ and here we are,” Cummings said.
“Hopefully they can get the result they were probably entitled to get a few years back.”
