Stakes breakthrough for Trekking at Caulfield

Trainer James Cummings will take a cautious approach to the immediate future with the progressive sprinter Trekking despite the gelding making an impressive step up to Stakes grade in the Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield on Sunday, 30 September.

Trekking made the most of a perfect run, pushing his way clear at the 200m and surging to the line to beat Kemono by a length-and-a-quarter.

"Kemono was coming at us really fast, and he’s a quality horse," Cummings said.

"But Trekking has obviously made huge leaps and bounds this time in.”

While he believes the son of Street Cry has much more to give, Cummings will place great emphasis on careful placement ahead of ambition with the four-year-old.

"I'll be careful about being too ambitious,” he said.

“He's able to keep going through his grades and I think he can keep going forward when well-placed.

“He has a sharp turn of foot, particularly when he's ridden like that."

Kerrin McEvoy admitted to a fleeting concern he was being held in a pocket behind the leader until well into the Caulfield straight.

But after a brief tussle he pushed clear and showed superior acceleration over the final 100m.

"He's getting confidence out of each win," said McEvoy, who has ridden him at each of his four starts this time in.

"He's done it well today, we just had to give a bit of push and shove to get out, but he had the gears required to get out and get going and get into the race."

The Charlie Appleby-trained Blair House made his Australian debut at Caulfield, finishing a pleasing fourth in the G1 Underwood Stakes behind the formerly English trained Homesman.