CUMMINGS HAS ONE EL OF A GALLOPER

Victoria Derby on the agenda after Spring Champion win caps hat-trick for El Castello

- Michael Lee

A second Victoria Derby win has suddenly started to float around in trainer Anthony Cummings' head since Oct 26.

That day, favourite El Castello held off all comers to record a gallant win in the A$2 million (S$1.8 million) Group 1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2,000m) for 3YOs at Randwick.

Cummings always had the trip down south towards the race he won with Fiveandahalfstar in 2012 at the back of his mind.

He just did not say it out loud, preferring to wait for the Spring Champion to commit towards the quick one week back-up.

While his legendary father Bart was famous for his short one-liners, Cummings is comparatively more volubile. But when put on the spot after the win, he was still beating about the bush, albeit the hint was less subtle this time.

"I'd like to think it's a good idea," he said when probed about the A$2 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2,500m) coming up on Nov 2.

"We spoke to Flemington early this week, so we just wait and see what comes of it.