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Rock Classic set for duel with Denman

Wednesday 10 March 2010
By Caryl Williamson

Bart Cummings doesn't rate Rock Classic as highly as his stablemate So You Think but he does believe he's good enough to give Denman a run for his money in the Australian Guineas.

The trainer aborted Cox Plate winner So You Think's autumn campaign before it began, robbing Saturday's race of a clash between the two stars.

The Peter Snowden-trained Denman has dominated betting since the release of first markets, but that does not deter Cummings.

"So You Think is two lengths, no many lengths, better than Rock Classic but you're not required to be as good as So You Think to win this Guineas," Cummings said.

"He (Rock Classic) can give Denman a run for his money and the jockey is optimistic too."

Rock Classic will be ridden by Michael Rodd who steered the Cummings-trained Faint Perfume to a scintillating first-up win in Saturday's Group Two Kewney Stakes.

The Guineas was scheduled for later in the program but postponed along with the Australian Cup when a fierce storm hit Flemington.

Denman has yet to be seriously tested in three runs this preparation and has been odds-on for the Guineas for weeks despite some doubts about his ability to run a strong 1600 metres.

His record stands at nine wins from 11 starts including the Group One Golden Rose and he is being compared to his sire, former champion racehorse Lonhro.

Compared to Rock Classic, Denman's record is daunting with the Cummings three-year-old going into the Group One at just his fifth start with two restricted class wins to his name.

That experience compares to So You Think who was sent into the Cox Plate by the master trainer at his fifth start.

Cummings will have two chances in the Australian Cup (2000m) with 2008 winner Sirmione favoured ahead of Moatize.

"Moatize will probably be better over 2400 metres but it's just right for Sirmione," Cummings said.

Sirmione is booked to come back to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes a week after the Australian Cup and Cummings said that was still the plan despite the week's delay.

"Nothing has changed, he's booked to come to Sydney on Sunday," Cummings said.

"We'll take a look at things then."