Avilius to test track

JAMES Cummings says his decision to run exciting prospect Avilius in The Bart Cummings at Flemington instead of The Metropolitan in Sydney is “a bold play”.

Avilius was a $2.80 favourite for the Group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick on Saturday week but Cummings has opted to run him at Flemington a week later.

The winner of the 2500m race named after his grandfather gains an automatic start in the Melbourne Cup.

Avilius is 55th in the order of entry for the Cup.

“We feel that giving Avilius a look at Flemington with the hope of gaining a start in the Melbourne Cup is the right way to go,” Cummings said.