Matt Cumani hoping to Star at Caulfield
Show A Star came within centimetres of earning himself a special place in Matt Cumani’s stable.
The gelding was nosed out at Geelong when a win would have given Cumani his first as a trainer.
That honour has since gone to Our Covenant, but Show A Star could bring up the next milestone for 35-year-old Cumani when he steps out at Caulfield on Saturday in the Peter Jackson Handicap.
“He just missed out by a nostril, which was frustrating to say the least,” Cumani said of the Geelong defeat.
“But he’s a lovely horse and I’m thankful to have him.
“He came from Gai Waterhouse’s and he’s got lovely owners and he’s a great horse to have in the stable. He’s straight-forward, easy to train, and hopefully he’ll win one for me this weekend.”
Show A Star was Cumani’s fourth runner since starting his training career in Ballarat.
He has 12 boxes but Cumani said he would be soon moving to a new set of stables at Ballarat that can accommodate up to 40 horses.
Cumani, son of prominent UK trainer Luca Cumani, has been thrilled with how his career has started.
“I think they have all run well. I’m happy with how they look and happy with how they’ve settled into their new stables,” Cumani said.
Along with working for his father, Cumani’s racing education also included stints with Ed Dunlop in England, Todd Pletcher and Paddy Gallagher in the United States as well as with Sydney’s premier trainer Chris Waller.