Sydney’s premier summer race, the Group Two Villiers Stakes, is still on the agenda for Anthony Cummings-trained stablemates Drago and Surge Ahead.

If they perform well in their respective races at Rosehill on Saturday, Cummings will not hesitate to back them up a week later at Randwick.

Drago runs in a benchmark 85 over 1800 metres on Saturday while Surge Ahead contests a 1500m benchmark 80.

“If they show their form warrants it they will back up in the Villiers,” Cummings said.

“I think they can both get there.”

Drago showed enough promise early in his career for Cummings to give him a Victoria Derby campaign while Surge Ahead won a Listed race at three and was placed in the Group Three Alistair Clark Stakes.

At the first start of his preparation, Surge Ahead ran an encouraging second to all-the-way winner Skarsgard at Randwick in November 22.

The meeting was on the controversial Kensington track which favoured front runners as the surface chopped up during the day.

Drago raced on the same day and made little impression on Medcaut who was also up on the pace.

It was Drago’s third start since he was gelded.

Cummings had also hoped Paris Match could be a Villiers contender but has sent the mare to the paddock after her second to Resurrect over 1800m at the Kensington meeting.

Another stablemate, Barge And Charge, ran fourth in that race and steps up to 2400 metres for the first time on Saturday.

“If he runs well over the distance then he will back up in the Christmas Cup on Villiers day,” Cummings said.

Saturday’s meeting was originally planned for the Kensington track but transferred to Rosehill while remedial work is done.

The Randwick course proper will be back in use for the Villiers meeting.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au