Trainer Anthony Cummings will adopt a fresh approach with Libertini as he sets his sights on a second Everest tilt.
No horse has won The Everest first-up but that statistic holds no fears for Anthony Cummings, who will send Libertini into the $15 million race fresh – if she can gain a slot.
The four-year-old has a dynamic first-up record with two wins and as many placings in five starts, including her emphatic Group 2 Premiere Stakes victory last spring, which earned her an Everest berth.
She finished eighth to Classique Legend in the 1200m sprint but Cummings believes her best performances are her opening campaign runs and he will bank on Libertini showcasing her wares at the barrier trials to gain the attention of slot holders.
“Her first-up runs have been her best so it would be a safer bet for anyone to take her going in there first-up,” Cummings said.
“She will trial well enough to make that point, so that’s what we will be looking to do.
“If she doesn’t (get a slot), she will head to Melbourne and The Valley and we’ll see if we can get the Group One first-up there.”
The Everest will be run at Randwick on October 16 while Cummings’ back-up plan, the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, is six days later on Cox Plate eve.
Libertini will enjoy another month in the paddock before returning to work at the end of July.
Stablemate Nancho will kick off his preparation earlier in the season with the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 21 a likely launch pad for his Australian career.
The Hungarian import has an outstanding record overseas winning 11 of his 18 starts, highlighted by a Group 1 victory over 2400m in Germany where he beat subsequent Hotham Handicap victor Ashrun.
The six-year-old has trialled twice since joining Cummings’ team and the Randwick trainer cannot wait to get him to the races.
“Nancho is a bit of a star of the show. He’s the Group One winner in the stable right now and he’s come back really well. It’s his third or fourth look through the stable,” he said.
“He carried 60 (kilos) at Group One level over a mile-and-a-half in Germany and beat some of the best horses around, there would have been half a dozen Group One winners come out from behind him in that race.
“He’s got the form to be competitive at the top end.”
One horse missing from the spring will be Sky Boy, whose comeback from a tendon injury has been put back six months after he twisted his ankle during a recent trial.
No horse has won The Everest first-up but that statistic holds no fears for Anthony Cummings, who will send Libertini into the $15 million race fresh – if she can gain a slot.
The four-year-old has a dynamic first-up record with two wins and as many placings in five starts, including her emphatic Group 2 Premiere Stakes victory last spring, which earned her an Everest berth.
She finished eighth to Classique Legend in the 1200m sprint but Cummings believes her best performances are her opening campaign runs and he will bank on Libertini showcasing her wares at the barrier trials to gain the attention of slot holders.
“Her first-up runs have been her best so it would be a safer bet for anyone to take her going in there first-up,” Cummings said.
“She will trial well enough to make that point, so that’s what we will be looking to do.
“If she doesn’t (get a slot), she will head to Melbourne and The Valley and we’ll see if we can get the Group One first-up there.”
The Everest will be run at Randwick on October 16 while Cummings’ back-up plan, the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, is six days later on Cox Plate eve.
Libertini will enjoy another month in the paddock before returning to work at the end of July.
Stablemate Nancho will kick off his preparation earlier in the season with the Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 21 a likely launch pad for his Australian career.
The Hungarian import has an outstanding record overseas winning 11 of his 18 starts, highlighted by a Group 1 victory over 2400m in Germany where he beat subsequent Hotham Handicap victor Ashrun.
The six-year-old has trialled twice since joining Cummings’ team and the Randwick trainer cannot wait to get him to the races.
“Nancho is a bit of a star of the show. He’s the Group One winner in the stable right now and he’s come back really well. It’s his third or fourth look through the stable,” he said.
“He carried 60 (kilos) at Group One level over a mile-and-a-half in Germany and beat some of the best horses around, there would have been half a dozen Group One winners come out from behind him in that race.
“He’s got the form to be competitive at the top end.”
One horse missing from the spring will be Sky Boy, whose comeback from a tendon injury has been put back six months after he twisted his ankle during a recent trial.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au
