Ballarat conditioner Matt Cumani sees Stakes grade ability in Deal Done Fast, but securing an initial triumph with the colt takes precedence for now.

Flemington on Saturday presents a chance for both in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m), if the colt can sharpen up his barrier manners.

Maiden status persists after seven races for Deal Done Fast, whose slow getaways have necessitated remedial gate practice from Cumani’s outfit post his Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 4.

Spring form included a third placing in the Victoria Derby (2500m) 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.”

The 2023 St Leger fell to Cumani’s Dunwoody over Sandown’s 3000m, shifted four days later owing to Dean Holland’s fatal tumble at Donald before 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 avoided nominating Deal Done Fast for Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) action at Morphettville a Saturday hence.

Further afield, Eagle Farm’s Queensland Derby (2400m) next month might appeal for progression.

“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.”

Saturday sees Cumani also represented by Te Taniwha.

“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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