TRAINER Anthony Cummings will step up his assault on next month's $1 million Golden Rose with promising two-year-old Duporth likely to return to racing at Canterbury on Saturday.

Cummings sent Duporth, which had two runs in the autumn, around in a barrier trial at Warwick Farm last Friday and the colt won its heat with jockey Danny Nikolic in the saddle.

"I'll nominate Duporth to run at Canterbury this week and I have the Golden Rose in mind with him," Cummings said at Hawkesbury yesterday after enjoying an early victory with first starter Paxton.

"He did a great job in the autumn. He ran fourth on debut in the Pago Pago Stakes and then ran fifth to Sebring in the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes. That form looks pretty strong."

Cummings also has high hopes that impressive rising three-year-old Mansell will measure up as a Golden Rose candidate after a luckless third on debut at Canterbury last Saturday week behind Aichi. "He got through his first run OK and I've got a big opinion of the horse," he said.

"He will run next in The Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday week and then push on to The Run To The Rose two weeks later and all going well the Golden Rose on August 30. He is good enough to win the race at his first preparation."

Cummings also has unbeaten filly Danehill Smile, which hasn't raced since winning the Inglis Classic in February last year, set to resume from a spell in the Missile Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday week.

"She had her share of problems leading into the autumn carnival last year and that put an end to her Golden Slipper prospects," he said.

"But she had a long time off and has come back in good shape. She trialled very well when second to Bank Robber last Friday and she is primed for her comeback."

While stable star Casino Prince has been retired, Cummings said he was banking on more feature race success this spring with Rosehill Guineas winner Dealer Principal to embark on a Cox Plate campaign. "The Cox Plate is the race for him," he said. "He is already in Melbourne and he will trial down there in the next couple of weeks.

"To do what he did in his first preparation, winning a Rosehill Guineas and running fourth in an AJC Australian Derby, was the job of a budding superstar. I can't wait for him to resume racing next month. I couldn't be happier with him."

Cummings has several potential spring stars set to take part in a 15-heat barrier trial session tomorrow at Rosehill.

"Red Lord will have a hit-out as well as Anna Bek and they will both be aimed at some of the better-class races this spring," he said.

Red Lord hasn't started since running fifth behind No Wine No Song in the Sydney Cup while Anna Bek is a former New Zealander raced by Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm. Jockey Peter Robl is down to ride Red Lord and Anna Bek in their trials as well as the Patinack-owned unraced filly Millenium Diamond.