Barrier a plus for Most Exalted: Cummings

While Most Exalted only has one win to his name, there was more than met the eye to the midweek maiden where he broke his duck.

That’s the view of trainer James Cummings as he seeks a second victory with the horse in Saturday’s Pluck@Vinery Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill.

The two Chris Waller-trained runners who filled the placings in the June 8 maiden over 1550m at Canterbury, Firebird Flyer and My Guiliano subsequently won Saturday races in Sydney.

“The form out of that maiden, although at the time it didn’t look amazing, it has improved once we’ve seen some of those horses mature more and get to higher level,” Cummings said.

Most Exalted returned from a spell to run third at Rosehill on November 19.

Early Sydney jockeys’ premiership contender Brenton Avdulla gets the ride on Most Exalted who has drawn barrier two.

“He’s a horse with a very, very good finish and he’s certainly drawn a much more advantageous gate this week than he did first-up so he would map much better,” Cummings said.

Cummings also has a two-pronged attack on the TAB Handicap (1400m) with Lunar Rise and High Midnight.

Lunar Rise will be James Doyle’s first ride for the stable and Cummings is hopeful the veteran campaigner can turn his form around for the English jockey.

“Two starts back he’d be a winning chance but after last-start he’s got a lot to improve on,” Cummings said.

Lunar Rise has trialled since his last start where he failed to beat a runner home at Rosehill on November 19, a disappointing return given his victory at the same track one week earlier.

High Midnight will be looking to improve on his first-up effort when fifth.

“We felt that his run peaked late first up,” Cummings said.

“He should be an excellent chance of improving on that first-up run.”

Static Lift is entered for Rosehill and Canterbury on Friday night, with Cummings yet to make a decision about where the horse will run.