Cumani seeks repeat success in VRC St Leger with Deal Done Fast

The Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani is convinced that colt Deal Done Fast has what it takes to triumph in Stakes company, yet his immediate priority remains landing that elusive debut victory.

Opportunity knocks for both at Flemington on Saturday via the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m), contingent on the colt overcoming his gate-starting issues.

Unbroken after seven attempts, Deal Done Fast's habit of dawdling from the barriers has compelled Cumani's team to implement targeted training since the colt's run in the Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 4.

In the earlier preparation, Deal Done Fast ran third in the Victoria Derby (2500m) conducted at Flemington.

"He threw his race away right at the beginning last time and I'm still trying to work out exactly what he did, but it's starting to look like a pattern now," Cumani said.

"I gave him a pass mark for the first two runs of the prep.

"In his first race, it was a short distance, and he got squeezed as he came out of the barriers, in his second race he wasn't concentrating and for him to come out slowly for the third race of his prep, it was a worrying pattern.

"We've done a bit of barrier work, and he seems to be breaking well enough, and he has no issues in the gates but is just a bit slow into stride.

"I'm hoping over 2800 metres at Flemington, that shouldn't be a problem and if he happens to do it again, he'll have plenty of time to make up the ground."

In 2023, Cumani captured the St Leger courtesy of Dunwoody over 3000m at Sandown, the race delayed by four days due to Dean Holland's fatal fall at Donald prior to Anzac Day.

"When we won it, it was with a horse that probably had no rights to win a Stakes race, but having said that it was 3000 metres and now it's back to 2800 metres," Cumani said.

"It's a tougher race this year than when we won it."

Cumani has bypassed entering Deal Done Fast in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) set for Morphettville a week on Saturday.

If Derby pursuits continue, the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm in the coming month is under consideration.

"There is another Derby left if we want to go down that path, but I just want to see him win a race," Cumani said.

"He's been an unlucky maiden.

"He should have won his first race, he was beaten a bob of the head, so he's still got that tag, and it would be nice to get that sorted first.

"If he could do it in the St Leger, that would be fantastic and if not, we might look at other options before we put him away for a break."

Additionally, Cumani runs Te Taniwha in the event.

"He's been crying out for ground, and this has been a bit of a long-range plan for him," Cumani said.

"We would have liked to have seen him do a bit more in his last race, but it's got such a long tail this race that its always worthwhile having a horse in it for the prize money and it gives everyone a nice day at Flemington."

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