Prince Romany is set to tackle one of Melbourne’s oldest races, the VRC St Leger at Flemington.
Matt Cumani says ideally he would like some more time between runs for Prince Romany ahead of the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington.
Prince Romany bounced back to form over 2200m at Bendigo last week and is entered to contest the St Leger on Sunday, the only race of its kind remaining for three-year-olds in Australia.
“He goes into the St Leger a little bit closer than I would have liked, but he’s fit and he’s well and he’s come though his last run well,” Cumani said.
“We don’t have to do a lot with him now and I’d like to think he’ll get the distance no problem.”
A first-up winner at Pakenham in February, Cumani said Prince Romany may have been out of his depth when last behind Grandslam in the Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley before finishing tenth in the Bendigo St Leger Trial before his recent victory.
Cumani said those races Prince Romany was defeated in gives an insight into the regard the horse is held within the stable.
Disappointed with The Valley performance, Cumani said Prince Romany did not get the ride he had hoped for, while in the Bendigo St Leger Trial he got stuck behind a wall of horses.
“I’m frustrated the St Leger Trial did not work out better because I could have planned his route a little differently,” Cumani said.
“So, we needed to see him back on track, and we saw that at Bendigo.
“He’s a big loping style of horse that settles and interestingly he has a bit of speed.
“When Damian (Lane) asked him, he really accelerated and I’m really hoping he’s got that perfect balance of stamina and speed.”
Stablemate Furioso is among 19 horses entered in Sunday’s race while also holding a nomination in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.
