Sydney horseman Anthony Cummings will chase his second Victoria Derby win this Melbourne Cup Carnival hoping for a good run this weekend in the 2015 Moonee Valley Vase with the Group 1-bound Hierarchal.
Anthony Cummings is hoping Hierarchal can follow in the footsteps of the now-retired Fiveandahalfstar (pictured) with a Victoria Derby win in 2015. Photo: Steve Hart.
Cummings enjoyed success in the richest race for three-year-olds during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival three years ago when Fiveandahalfstar scored an upset as a 40/1 shot in the 2012 $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).
His last Group lead-up was a fifth in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes where he jumped 100/1 four runs before the Derby, which he went into on the back of a Benchmark 72 win over 1800 at Rosehill.
This season Cummings is taking his Derby hope into the Flemington feature on October 31 via the traditional Moonee Valley lead-up on Cox Plate Day.
“They are different types and Fiveandahalfstar had a fair bit more racing at this stage of his career,” Cummings told AAP.
“Hierarchal has to go up a notch again but has proved himself at this level.”
High Chaparral colt Hierarchal has won just one of his three starts to date and makes his Melbourne debut in this Saturday’s $200,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), which last produced a Victoria Derby winner with Lion Tamer (2nd in 2010).
Last start the up-and-comer raced in elite level company when a brave fourth, beaten only one and a half lengths by Vanbrugh in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 10.
“He was doing his best work in the last 100 metres of the Spring Champion after he got bumped off course,” Cummings said.
“He kept on fighting and didn’t get beaten far which shows me he has the makings of a stayer and the Derby distance (2500m) will suit.”
He is two weeks between runs then this weekend in the Vase where Glen Boss, who rode 2000 Victoria Derby winner Hit The Roof, jumps aboard.
“We took him to Moonee Valley on Tuesday and he handled the track well so he should run well in the Vase,” Cummings explained.
Moonee Valley Vase odds at Ladbrokes.com.au, where punters can lock in Best Tote or SP + 20% before jump on all 10 Cox Plate Day races, are firmly led by market mover Tarzino ($4).
Mick Price’s youngster is also early favourite in futures Victoria Derby betting for the Group 1 based on his staying pedigree.
Hierarchal meanwhile pays $17 for the Moonee Valley Vase and is at the same price in futures Victoria Derby odds where the Spring Champion winner Vanbrugh occupies the second line of betting at $5.50.
To back Hierarchal for an upset Vase or Derby win at the guaranteed best price, head to Ladbrokes.com.au today where Saturday punters at Moonee Valley can also enjoy an Extra 50% on their very first Fixed Odds winner in Cox Plate Day Races 1 – 5!
