Stable expectations are high about Red Lord running true to a successful career-pattern of form in the $100,000 Frank Underwood Cup.With Anthony Cummings in the midst of a Magic Millions spending spree to replenish stable stocks, his son and foreman Edward is buoyant about the veteran stayer's Rosehill chances on Saturday.His confidence is based on Red Lord's uncanny ability to return a peak rating of form at his third run in from a spell."Right throughout his career his best runs have been his

Stable expectations are high about Red Lord running true to a successful career-pattern of form in the $100,000 Frank Underwood Cup.

With Anthony Cummings in the midst of a Magic Millions spending spree to replenish stable stocks, his son and foreman Edward is buoyant about the veteran stayer's Rosehill chances on Saturday.

His confidence is based on Red Lord's uncanny ability to return a peak rating of form at his third run in from a spell.

"Right throughout his career his best runs have been his third or fourth in a campaign at around 2000 metres," he said.

Central to Red Lord being a lot more competitive than his $12 quote suggests are two Rosehill stakes victories among seven career wins.

The seven-year-old was third-up when he won the 2008 Parramatta Cup over 2000 metres and he was at the same stage of a campaign when he took out the Premier's Cup over 1800 metres later in the year.

It might be form which is starting to lose its relevance but two runs over unsuitable distances have shown the Cummings stable there is still enough spark in Red Lord's motor.

"I thought his first-up run behind Swift Alliance was crackerjack because his final sectionals were in the top three or four of the day," Cummings Jnr said.

"Last start he probably felt his weight (66kg) as you would expect but he's been working really well.

"If he gets the breaks he's more than ready to be competitive."

Red Lord, a duffer on heavy tracks, has been kept in Sydney instead of heading north to make a belated Magic Millions race day appearance at a rain-soaked Gold Coast.

Red Lord went through the 2005 Magic Millions sales ring for $260,000 and has returned $575,000 in stakes.

The Cummings stable has been among the most active buyers on the first two days of this year's sale, signing for 12 lots.

Tatt's Cup winner Spinney has held his place at the top of Underwood betting at $3.20.

An eight-year-old, Spinney shades another veteran, the seven-year-old Alexander Of Hales ($4), for favouritism in the 2000-metre Listed race.

Rosehill was rated in the dead category on Friday after 22mm of rain during the week.

The rail will be out three metres after extensive maintenance work since the last meeting at the track on December 11.