Trainer James Cummings expects Viridine to be “extremely competitive” ahead of his Group 2 tilt at Moonee Valley tomorrow night.
The six-year-old gelding will take on five rivals tomorrow night in a fairly weak edition of the Australia Stakes.
“We ended up putting him [Viridine] in when we saw the strength of the nominations wasn’t quite there this year,” Said Cummings on RSN927 this morning.
“Back to weight-for-age here, he’s well suited, looks great and I’d say he’d be extremely competitive.”
Cummings originally had Isaurian nominated for the Group 2 feature in the first set of nominations but didn’t accept with him after not coming up 100%.
“Unfortunately for Isaurian, who was having a great prep, he just didn’t quite scope the best in the lead up to the race so we ultimately didn’t accept with him yesterday morning,
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“Viridine will be our sole representative and Isaurian will be saved for another day, possibly running him in the Rubiton once he comes right.”
The Group 2 Australia stakes also presents an interesting runner in the full brother to Arcadia Queen in Arcadia Prince.
Now trained by Amy McDonald down in Ballarat, the 6-year-old was sold by leviathan owner Bob Peters due to his ongoing foot problems.
The small six horse field is rounded out by the likes of Group 1 winner Streets of Avalon who is first up, Widgee Turf, Tavisan and also Neighbourhood who was thrown in after nominations were extended earlier in the week.
Viridine is currently the short priced favourite at $1.80 on TopSport with Streets of Avalon second elect at $5.00.
For the full market for the Group 2 Australia Stakes click here.
