A four-length winner at Sandown three starts ago, Clinking finished sixth to Snitzerland at her first stakes test under lights at Moonee Valley last start when little went her way.
"The run was better than her finishing position suggested. She got caught in the backwash when the speed slackened," Cummings said.
"Then when she went to make ground something came out underneath her and it basically forced her into the outside fence.
"When she came around [the turn] with the lights and everything, she sort of backed off. She still managed to run good sectionals down the straight.
"Her effort was fine."
The race Cummings has now put on Strike the Stars' immediate radar is Saturday week's Group Three Betfair Stakes (1400m) with the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington next month his main goal.