Trainer James Cummings believes that the step up to the 2000m in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill will suit his improving filly Pohutukawa.

Verry Elleegant,. above, is the favouriite for the 2019 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Pohutukawa carried the Godolphin royal blue colours to victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 15 and Cummings said that the Medaglio D’Oro filly has earned herself a chance at Group 1 level in the Vinery Stud Stakes.

“She looks to be crying out for the 2,000m after a storming victory over 1,600m last time,” Cummings said.

“We were all gushing with praise for her effort, but she again has to rise to the occasion against more proven fillies here.”

“It is a stronger field, nevertheless, we have confidence that she is improving rapidly.”

Kerrin McEvoy takes over the reins from James McDonald on Pohutukawa who has drawn barrier nine in the thirteen horse Vinery Stud Stakes field.

McDonald has elected to stick with the Chris Waller trained Verry Elleegant who he rode to victory in the  Group 2 $200,000 Chandon S Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) Rosehill on March 16.

Verry Elleegant has drawn barrier five and sits at the top of the Vinery Stud Stakes market order at $2.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Pohutukawa is on the third line of betting at $6.50.

The Mark Newnham trained Nakeeta Jane is sandwiched into between those two fillies at $6 and will jump from gate three with Josh Parr in the saddle again.

Nakeeta Jane was rewarded for her consistency with a win two starts back in the Group 1 $500,000 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on March 2 and then ran a brave third behind The Autumn Sun and Fundamentalist in the Group 1 $1m Mostyn Copper Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick a week later.