James Cummings wasted no time scratching Spacewalk from the Run To The Rose when he saw the strength of the field, but he didn’t hesitate to keep emerging filly In Secret in the Group 2 race.

In Secret was a late withdrawal from the Furious Stakes last Saturday when the track was downgraded to heavy, a miss Cummings admitted put a “stumbling block in her preparation”.

But he is equally adamant it was the right decision and is beginning to warm to her chances from barrier three in this weekend’s Run To The Rose (1200m), despite having to take on a field that boasts the Golden Slipper quinella of Fireburn and Best Of Bordeaux.

“It’s very strong, so strong in fact that we elected to take Spacewalk out of the race before midday yesterday (Wednesday),” Cummings said.

“From the draw, because she maps so well, I think she can run a real race here.

“In three starts, she has improved every start, you can’t ask for much more.”

A brilliant winner of her first two runs at the tail-end of the autumn, In Secret was the hard luck story of the Silver Shadow Stakes first-up when she was blocked for a run for much of the straight, zooming home for second to Zougotcha when she eventually got clear.

But while she gets in well under the set weights plus penalties conditions of Saturday’s race, Cummings is under no illusions about the task she faces against some of last season’s best juveniles.

And what it might mean if she can finish in the top-two.

“As good as this set up is, there is no hiding from the fact this is one of the strongest Group Twos around and the quinella from this race, they tend to be the top two horses for the Golden Rose every year,” he said.

Spacewalk’s outside barrier was no doubt a factor in Godolphin’s decision to scratch him from Sydney and he will instead head to Flemington for the Poseidon Stakes (1100m) where he has a midfield draw.

Cummings is also keen to see if Up And Coming Stakes placegetter Golden Mile can continue on his trajectory in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m), a race likely to determine the Astern colt’s spring goals.

“He’s a bit of a sleeper and his run first-up was a beauty,” Cummings said.

“He’s going to get a good run in the race and he’s going to run very well again.

“The step up to 1400 metres is somewhat in his favour and he’s the type of horse that could improve fast enough to end up in better races later on this campaign.”