Anthony Cummings is hoping his decision to skip the Rosehill Guineas in preference to running in Saturday’s Group 1 $2.25m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill will see Fiveandahalfstar back in the winner’s stall.
Fiveandahalfstar hasn't won since taking out the Victoria Derby in the Spring. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Fiveandahalfstar has finished second at his four starts since winning the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in the Spring and Cummings is confident the three year old can chalk up his first win at weight for age.
Cummings made a late decision not to run in last week’s Group 1 $500,000 M. J. Bale Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill saying that Fiveandahalfstar didn’t need the run after finishing second to Foreteller in the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill the week before.
“He is capable at weight-for-age and the BMW is worth a lot more money, it has always been the plan to be right for it and he was only going to run in the Rosehill Guineas if he needed it,” Cummings said.
“Given we want to back him up in the Derby, it wouldn’t have been ideal to run four weeks in a row.”
Fiveandahalfstar has come up with a reasonable barrier in the twelve horse field and will have no trouble taking up a forward position from gate six.
Top Sydney rider Hugh Bowman will be the third jockey on Fiveandahalfstar in as many starts and replaces Peter Robl who was aboard when second to Foreteller in the Ranvet.
Leading Melbourne jockey Glen Boss steered the three year old to three successive seconds at his first three runs in the Autumn, including a second to Super Cool in the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 9.
Fiveandahalfstar will get his chance to turn the tables on Foreteller with the 2400m more to his liking after two runs over 2000m this campaign.
The BMW has attracted a similar field to the Ranvet and includes Maluckyday, Mawingo, Silent Achiever, Kelinni, Gatewood and Niwot, all finishing behind Fiveandahalfstar.
Fiveandahalfstar has been installed the $3 favourite to break through at weight for age with Foreteller the next in the market at $6.50 with Maluckyday at $7 and the Kris Lees import Hathras at $9.
Kiwi mare Silent Achiever has been struggling to regain her best form in Australia is next in the betting at $10 after finishing fifth to Foreteller in the Ranvet.
