Two-year-old prospects on show in two states

The classy juvenile fillies Avon River and Amercement put their autumn prospects to the test at Rosehill in Sydney on Saturday, while the speedy colt Lanigera does the same in Melbourne.

And their trainer James Cummings is confident all three can make a strong impression.

At Rosehill, Avon River (Kerrin McEvoy) brings the best credentials to the G3 Widden Stakes having finished second at her only two starts to date, the latest behind the high-class colt Accession.

“Avon River brings very solid two-year-old handicap form back to fillies’ company in the Widden,” Cummings said.

“She appears to have sharpened up with blinkers on and provided she relaxes well, she can run a strong race in what is an important race for her.

“We hope to see her improve strongly.”

Amercement (Brenton Avdulla) finished fourth to the good filly Catch Me at her only start, with the winner having gone on to further success since.

“She looks ready to run another good race here,” her trainer said.

“She’s had a good grounding for this and has the scope to improve as she stretches out in distance.”

Lanigera was also entered at Rosehill, but Cummings opted to run at Caulfield in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes after examining the fields in both races.

“In the end I decided to go to Caulfield where he’s raced before and the five furlongs of the race there suits him beautifully,” he said.

“The horse has had a solid grounding to be suited first-up and I feel like he’s an improved version of what he was last year.

“So I think he’s capable of running strongly in this race.”

At his only start, Lanigera showed brilliant speed before finishing fourth at Caulfield last October.