Derby too tough for Faint Perfume: Bart

By will be

Bart Cummings is content with his decision not to run Faint Perfume in the AJC Australian Derby and will rely on Rock Classic in Saturday's Randwick feature.The master trainer said he had learned from his experience with Danendri in 1997 what a tough assignment it was for fillies.Danendri won the Storm Queen Stakes, as did Faint Perfume on Saturday, then backed up a week later to run second to Ebony Grosve in the Derby before winning the Oaks another seven days later."It's too hard on the fillie

Bart Cummings is content with his decision not to run Faint Perfume in the AJC Australian Derby and will rely on Rock Classic in Saturday's Randwick feature.

The master trainer said he had learned from his experience with Danendri in 1997 what a tough assignment it was for fillies.

Danendri won the Storm Queen Stakes, as did Faint Perfume on Saturday, then backed up a week later to run second to Ebony Grosve in the Derby before winning the Oaks another seven days later.

"It's too hard on the fillies," Cummings said.

"Danendri did nothing later on, she never won another race and I want this filly in the spring.

"She's a little thing with a big heart, they are very similar."

Rock Classic was beaten a nose by Zabrasive in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) but Cummings has no doubts about him turning the tables over the extra 400 metres at Randwick despite the fact his sire is Group One winning sprinter Fastnet Rock.

Cummings thinks the only problem might be that jockey Michael Rodd could be whip shy.

"As long as he doesn't count how many times he's hit him with the whip he'll win it," Cummings said.

Rodd was fined $2000 on Saturday for giving Faint Perfume two more hits than allowed before the 100 metres.

Cummings believes Rodd should have kept using the persuader on Rock Classic in the Rosehill Guineas.

The whip rules have proved irksome to Cummings over the past month with Sirmione going down to Zipping in a close finish to the Australian Cup.

Winning rider Nick Hall was fined for overuse of the whip and Sirmione's owners believed they should have been made aware of their right to protest.

"The jockey put the whip away in the Guineas and got beaten, Nick Hall didn't put the whip away and he won the Australian Cup," Cummings said.

"The whip rules are costing owners a fortune."

Despite his misgivings over the whip issue, Cummings is confident Rock Classic can add the Derby to his Australian Guineas win.

"He's terrific," he said.

"I'm confident, I'm happy with his progress and it would be good for me and good for his sire if he wins."

Zabrasive is favourite ahead of Rock Classic and Randwick Guineas winner Shoot Out.