James Cummings was perplexed with the performance of Renosu when resuming at Caulfield and is expecting a better performance at Flemington.
Renosu and stablemate Rakomelo clash in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on Saturday, looking to get their autumn programs back on track.
A one-time leading fancy for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday week, Renosu drifted out of discussions following a fading first-up seventh in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on February 5.
“I was pretty shattered to see the horse drop out so quickly,” Cummings said.
“He’d been going beautifully this preparation but was just a bit guilty of wanting to go a little hard within himself, so we’ve made some minor adjustments.”
“I’ve cast my eye over him and I was quite pleased to see him relaxing in his work.”
A tongue tie has been added to Renosu’s race day gear on Saturday and Damien Oliver takes over from Fred Kersley in the saddle.
Rakomelo has been dispatched to Melbourne after running second in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 29 and will be ridden by Kersley with blinkers added on Saturday.
“He returned well in the Canonbury Stakes,” Cummings said.
“He came three-wide on straightening which was probably getting away from the rails a little soon given the way the races unfolded on the rest of the day.
“He’s got that seven-furlong look about him but that possibly won’t prevent him being competitive on Saturday if he gets the race to unfold how he needs it to and gets the right drag into the race up the straight.”
With TAB, Rakomelo ($12) is rated the better prospect than Renosu ($15) with the Peter Moody-trained Waltz On By is the $5.50 market leader in an open race.