Doomben Cup day was a disaster for Anthony Cummings but the Sydney trainer is already preparing to regroup at Randwick this week.
Cummings lost stable warrior Zavite to injury leading into the Doomben Cup but there was more pain to come with Shadows In The Sun and Gybe emerging worse for wear from their races.
Shadows In The Sun strained a hindquarter muscle when he beat one home in the Doomben Cup, leaving Queensland Derby plans uncertain.
“He’s not in great shape,” Cummings said of the South Australian Derby winner.
“There’s three weeks to the Derby but he’s got to be ready to have a gallop by Saturday.”
Stakes-winning filly Gybe jarred up in the BTC Classic, a problem which helped explain her 13th of 16 runners in the Group Three sprint.
“She has improved but she will be coming back to Sydney,” Cummings said, confirming the three-year-old and stablemate Sister Madly would miss the Doomben 10,000.
Cummings will rely on possible winter carnival stand-bys to restore some order to his beaten up stable.
His team for Randwick on Saturday will be led by the promising She Must Be Obeyed in a three-year-old fillies race over 1400m.
She Must Be Obeyed was impressive under lights at Canterbury on April 8 before finishing third to Ardeche at Scone on May 14.
“With her she is still learning,” Cummings said.
“You could say she is on trial for Brisbane but there is also a chance she stays here (in Sydney) and chases BOBS (bonus) money.
Sprinter Quick Peek and sparingly raced stayer Home On A Wing are also Randwick definites for Cummings.
Last-start Canterbury winner Sir Fox and two-year-old Fontelina have been entered for Doomben and Randwick.
“Finding a 1400-metre race for Sir Fox is proving difficult, which it shouldn’t be, but I’ll wait and see what before deciding where he will race,” Cummings said.
AAP TURF
