Libertini (Image: Bradley Photos)
With the weather forecast set to sway Anthony Cummings' decision-making on which way he goes with his star sprinter Libertini this weekend, it looks like The Valley's William Reid Stakes might be the beneficiary with a fine week predicted in Melbourne.
Libertini has won all five of her races on firm surfaces and holds entries this weekend for The Galaxy at Rosehill Gardens, as well as the William Reid Stakes.
"Wherever it doesn't rain (is where she will run)," Cummings told RSN927 on Tuesday.
"The weather forecast there is quite attractive, so we've made plans to go to Melbourne.
"The weather forecast in Sydney is probably a little kinder that it has been but nevertheless it does look like being a wet track Saturday."
Tommy Berry has been booked to ride should she contest the $500,000 sprint feature on Friday night, after partnering the I Am Invincible mare in a piece of work in the anti-clockwise direction on Tuesday morning.
"He thinks it is about the best she has worked ever," Cummings said.
"She worked Melbourne may around this morning and she has done that a few times before and she was quite good and got on her right leg.
"We didn't really want to waste a run when she has shown us not to be quite as good when it is rain affected.
"We will try give her the best opportunity we can to keep that record intact."
Libertini is twice a winner first-up, while four of her victories have come at 1200 metres.
"1200 metres she is ready for and a dry track is very attractive," said Cummings.
"I think the couple of times she has been below par the track has been rain affected.
"Typically, she has found a hard-and-fast track she has run close to a track-record time."
The likelihood of Libertini making the trip from Sydney is sure to make a few sets of connections nervous, with a field limit of 14 and the likes of Brooklyn Hustle and Masked Crusader yet to be guaranteed a start with 18 nominations.
Acceptances are set to close at 9am (AEDT) on Wednesday.
Ranting, who was nominated for the William Reid Stakes but was set to contest a three-year-old handicap on the night, is set to miss both options after pulling up with a minor muscle issue post his track gallop at The Valley on Monday.
Libertini is a $7.50 chance with Sportsbet for the William Reid Stakes.