ANTHONY CUMMINGS knew Fontelina had the talent but it took an operation to spur him to produce it as he returned at Canterbury.

The three-year-old was a listed winner in Brisbane as a two-year-old but at his next three runs he could beat only one home and left his owners with one decision, to race him as a gelding.

Fontelina had his first start as a gelding yesterday and foiled a betting plunge on Said Com, from $2.10 to $1.70, as he beat it by a half head with Prosperity Aethon third 1¾ lengths in their wake.

''His mind wasn't on the job,'' Cummings said. ''The choice was to have a failing stallion or a successful racehorse. The talent was always there, he couldn't just show it with his nuts in.''

Cummings has nominated Fontelina for the Australian Guineas and Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne and will discuss which is the better option for the horse with jockey Blake Shinn.

''He has won at black-type level before and he will be back there again on that,'' Cummings said.

Fontelina, which lumped topweight of 59 kilograms, settled second-last with Said Com on his back as the leaders went along. The pair made their runs together from the top of the straight and the Cummings entry proved too strong in the drive to the line.

''I had a lovely run with good tempo up front,'' Shinn said. ''I thought at the 250 the other horse [Said Com] had me covered but he really fought like a nice horse.

''I think he will be able to run the mile on that effort.''

Chris Waller said Said Com paid the penalty for being a little soft in condition. ''He had only had the one trial and that was probably the difference in the end,'' the trainer said.