Fragonard, Comicas add to strong Caulfield contingent

Trainer James Cummings admits he gave in to the challenge when he decided to run the talented filly Fragonard in Saturday’s G3 Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield.

Fragonard (Craig Williams) is second-up in a race that represents a leap in class from the benchmark 90 event in which she finished second at her latest start.

“She’s thrown into the deep end to an extent,” Cummings said.

“But she pulled up so enormously well after her first-up run that we couldn’t help but bring her back to the races.”

In that race Fragonard finished second to Grey Shadow, making up many lengths in the final stages.

On the same card, Duca Valentinois (James Cummings/James McDonald) is also set to show the benefit of recent racing when he contests the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes, a race in which he is joined by the Charlie Appleby-trained Comicas (James Doyle).

For Duca Valentinois the race represents a significant drop in class from his previous effort against Hartnell in the G1 Epsom Hcp.

“His coat is glowing and he should get a far better run here than he did when one fell back in his lap in the Epsom,” said Cummings.

Comicas hasn’t run since March, but is in Melbourne on a long-planned mission.

“His recent runs have been on the dirt in Dubai but I have always seen him as a horse, who would do well in Australia,” Appleby said.

The Caulfield contingent is completed by Lanigera (James Cummings/Damien Lane) who makes his racing debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes.

A son of Denman, Lanigera has shown good speed in trials.