Ryan's Fender wins at The Valley under Fred Kersley (Image: Racing Photos)
Trainer Matt Cumani might be overseas on holidays but it hasn’t halted the progress of his Ballarat yard.
Cumani prepared his tenth December winner and fourth at metropolitan level, with apprentice Fred Kersley in the saddle on each occasion, after Ryan’s Fender ($1.50 favourite) led throughout to beat four rivals in Saturday’s $135,000 Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (2040m) at The Valley.
Topweight The Lord Mayor ($5.50) battled away for second, a length behind the winner while last start Yarra Valley Cup (1950m) dead-heater Maclairey was third, a further 1.25 lengths away.
WATCH: Ryan’s Fender win at The Valley
"Hopefully he can keep the momentum going through the summer and the 2000 metres is probably his trip looking at that,” said Cumani's assistant Andrew Bobbin.
Stablemate Future Score was scratched from Saturday’s race after finishing runner-up in the $140,000 Listed Lord Stakes at Caulfield on Thursday.
"Future Score is also crying out for 2000 metres, so the challenge now is to keep them apart," Bobbin added.
CUMANI’S WINNING DECEMBER RUN
Overall: 39 starters, 10 wins, 6 placings
Future Score ($17) – Pakenham, December 7
Etah James ($61) – Pakenham, December 7
Ryan’s Fender ($13) – Flemington, December 14
Converging ($4.60) – Bendigo, December 15
Flandersrain ($5eq fav) – Warrnambool, December 19
Sacred Kiwi ($4) – Colac, December 21
Lady Vega ($1.50f) – Werribee, December 24
Once Upon A Dream ($1.60f) – Nhill, December 26
Our Regal Spirit ($2.05f) – Penshurst, December 26
Ryan’s Fender ($1.50f) – Moonee Valley, December 28