Fontelina ($9) was racing for the first time as a gelding in the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1200m) and held off well-supported favourite Said Com ($1.70) who came back at the winner late but couldn't reel him in.

The margin was a half-head on the line with 1- 3/4-lengths to Prosperity Aethon ($26) in third.

Cummings said connections had a decision to make after last preparation, and yesterday's victory was evidence that they had made the right call to have Fontelina gelded.

Fontelina won a listed race at Doomben at just his second start as a two-year-old but failed in his next three outings in stakes company.

``His mind really wasn't on the job (last preparation) and he'd shown himself to be of stakes quality with a very good win at Doomben,'' Cummings said.

``The choice was either to have a failing stallion or a successful racehorse. The owners took the right decision. We gelded him and today shows the benefit of that.''

Cummings said Fontelina could head to Melbourne for a feature group 1 contest.