BART CUMMINGS wasn't concerned about Sirmione changing stride around the home bend at Randwick on Saturday as the Australian Cup winner geared up for Saturday's Ranvet Stakes at Canterbury.

Sirmione was ridden by his Victoria-based jockey Peter Mertens in an exhibition gallop on the course proper, and the gelding was shaded by stablemate Viewed, which was ridden by Hugh Bowman.

"He was on his wrong leg at the turn but he has just got to get used to it," Cummings said.

Awaiting Sirmione in the Ranvet is beaten Australian Cup favourite Princess Coup, with champion jockey Damien Oliver retaining the ride after apologising to connections for poor navigation when second behind Sirmione at Flemington on March 8.

"I probably shouldn't have gone back to the inside, and I'm looking forward to Saturday," Oliver said.

Amazingly, Sirmione's 25-start career, which also includes a victory in the group 1 Mackinnon Stakes and a third in the Queensland Derby, includes only one start in NSW. That was on debut when fourth in the 2005 Wyong Slipper.

"He is eating his head off," Cummings said. "He has been running and swimming, but I'll be giving him a bit more work to tune him up for Saturday. He is a bit too fresh at the moment."

Mertens, who won the Mackinnon Stakes and Australian Cup on Sirmione, was happy with the gallop at Randwick. "He was on his wrong leg at the bend but you can see how competitive the horse is. He felt good to me."

The tight Canterbury circuit may worry Sirmione. The Ranvet was moved from Rosehill because of a clash with a caravan and camping show. "It would have been nicer if it was at Rosehill, but there is nothing you can do about it," Cummings said.