Wagner in tune for Moonee Valley performance

The autumn classics may be ahead of the impressive colt Wagner in the longer term, but Saturday’s G3 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley looms large in his immediate sights.

Wagner is one of a strong Godolphin team on a G1 Cox Plate undercard that includes Savatiano in the G3 Powerflo Solutions Stakes and It’s Somewhat and Duca Valentinois in the G2 Crystal Mile.

Wagner (Kerrin McEvoy) won the first two starts of his latest preparation and then stepped up to the 1400m of the Caulfield Guineas Prelude at his latest outing. 

“He didn’t really run the 1400m right out last time in the Guineas Prelude,” said his trainer James Cummings.

“That was a strongly run race and he was a little vulnerable, so dropping back to 1200m will be in his favour.

“He’s a beautiful colt, he’s arguably still a few months away, but he can be running really well in a race of this nature.”

Savatiano (Kerrin McEvoy) will also carry hopes for both present and future when she runs at the Valley in a race the Godolphin team are hoping will make amends for an unfortunate second at Flemington last time out. 

“She ends up in the perfect race on Saturday,” Cummings said.

“It’s her first attempt at the mile, but she’s improved with each run this campaign and has the strength gained from three seven-furlong runs to have her right for this.”

It’s Somewhat (Damian Lane) and Duca Valentinois (Glyn Schofield) round out the Moonee Valley team, and Cummings believes both can produce their best form.

“It’s Somewhat is running well without winning this time in,” he said.

“But the big factor this weekend is getting back to a firmer track and getting back in distance.

“Those two things could lead to a sharp turnaround in form. 

“Duca Valentinois was all at sea trying to get onto his Melbourne leg at Caulfield last start.

“But he’s a weight-for-age winner at a mile last time in work and this is the race we wanted to have him right for."