Matt Cumani’s most memorable experience at the Victoria Derby was when Hit The Shot finished second to Johnny Get Angry in 2020, which unfortunately took place in front of a handful of people due to the Covid lockdown.

Cumani took two lessons from that day that will be put into practice at Flemington in the 2024 Victoria Derby, where he hopes to have three runners with Kingofwallstreet, Cecchetti and Autumnheat.

At this stage, only one of the trio is guaranteed a race – Norman Robinson Stakes winner Kingofwallstreet.

The first lesson Cumani learned from four years ago was that if he had a Victoria Derby runner again, he intended to make the most of the day.

“I’m going to have a big day. Hopefully I have three runners and there are owners everywhere,” Cumani said.

The other lesson is that young ladies such as Johnny Get Angry could win their first race at Group 1 level and that’s why he wants to start Cecchetti and Autumnheat, knowing they both stayed.

“In the Victoria Derby anything can happen, and if you have a horse that is at least competitive and has a bit of speed and stamina, it’s a race to go for. I feel like it’s worth putting everything we have into this.

The Ballarat trainer has identified the Victoria Derby as a perfect race for a trainer with his numbers to target.

“It’s one of the only G1s that you put horses in that you know might have a chance just because you know there are so few three-year-old horses that can run the trip and win ” he said.

“I grew up with the Epsom Derby as the main race in England; The Victoria Derby is still a Derby, but it’s a relatively easy target compared to other G1 races. I’m trying to move up the ranks, so this is a perfect race to aim for. This might be more feasible than other races.

Cumani is excited about the prospects of Kingofwallstreet, who won one of the traditional Victoria Derby preps – the Norman Robinson Stakes – on his last start and in only his third running.

“He’s brilliant. Kingofwallstreet is a mature horse beyond his years. He hasn’t missed a beat since his last race.

Kingofwallstreet is by Dundeel, who is also the sire of Hit The Shot, and Cumani said he threw more to the sire than his stablemate.

Meanwhile, Ceccheti made three starts and the son of Fiorente finished fourth last start in the Hill Stakes at Morphettville.

“He was green and a little unlucky, which he could contribute to. I think he has good ability to stay,” Cumani said.

Autumnheat placed a strong fifth in the G2 Vase at The Valley, which pleased Cumani.

He said he changed the way Autumnheat was trained – teaching him to settle down and relax – and that he benefited from it in the Vase.

“I’m going to find out if I can get three riders in. Having Kingofwallstreet in the race is great, so hopefully one or two of the others can compete,” Cumani said.