Anthony Cummings has good chances in both group 1s at Flemington on Saturday but early in the day he believes She's A Fox will show her group 1 potential. The sister to Foxwedge, which has won three of her four starts, is first-up for eight months down the straight 1100m. "It was a better option than anything we could find in Sydney and hopefully she will show how good she is," Cummings said. "She is beautifully bred and we are looking to get a group 1 with her this prep. This is a starting point and she will come back to Sydney for The Galaxy after it. There are a couple of options for her after that, but a group 1 is high on the list with her." Glen Boss links with Fiveandahalfstar in the Australian Cup and Fontelina in the Newmarket Handicap. "We have the right jockey and they are both exactly where we want them going into these races," Cummings said.
Nash appeal
Nash Rawiller has appealled against the severity of a five-meeting suspension from Newcastle on Wednesday to be able to ride in next week's Randwick Guineas at Warwick Farm. The appeal is set for 9am Monday.
Reith on pace
Christian Reith expects to be a lot closer on Longport (Surround) and Pear Tart (Wiggle) at Warwick Farm. The Patinack pair produced even runs first-up but Reith said Longport was likely to return to her frontrunning role that delivered a Tea Rose Stakes and had her runner-up to Norzita in the Flight Stakes in the spring. "She has really pleased us since that first run at home," Reith said. "She definitely races better when she leads." Tattersall's Tiara winner Pear Tart will also take a more forward position after running fifth to Steps In Time in the Breeders Classic first-up. "She goes better when she is not cluttered up behind. I think she is ready to return to her Brisbane winter form." Reith is also looking forward to getting back on Va Pensiero for Jason Coyle in the Lonhro Plate. "He has won a trial since that last win and is definitely a lot fitter," Reith said. "I would expect him to be hard to beat.''
Baker's big day out
Bjorn Baker will have his first group 1 runner as Havana Rey steps out in the Chipping Norton at Warwick Farm, however, it may be his two-year-old that steals the limelight. "It is great to have a group 1 runner and it's worth giving him a go," Baker said of Havana Rey. "He has won five of six at Warwick Farm and is very fit. It is a big step up but we think he can ran a good race." A new recruit, Windjammer, will have his first start for Baker in the Lonhro Plate. The Bernardini juvenile was runner-up to Charlie Boy in November at his only start when trained by Gai Waterhouse. "He is a very nice colt and I'm grateful the owners decided to give him to me," Baker said. "Getting him out of Gai's stable means there is some pressure, but I'm sure he will run well." Baker has sent Twilight Royale to Melbourne for the Sires' Produce Stakes. "I'm really happy with her, the way she is standing up to the racing," he said. "The way she races you would think 1400m on the big track will suit her."
Boss sticks solid
Glen Boss was not going to let another hoop get the chance to jump on Puissance De Lune as the early Melbourne Cup favourite makes his return in the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Trainer Darren Weir gave Boss the option of sticking with the Mick Price-trained Dany The Fox, which has won his past two, including the Kilmore Cup with Boss up. "Weiry did say if you've got a very good ride in the race that I wasn't obliged to stay with the horse but … I'm not letting anyone get on him regardless," Boss told Racing Victoria. He said Dany The Fox would be hard to beat, nonetheless.