Former Singapore galloper The Inferno will strike new ground at Flemington when he races on the straight track for the first time.
Trainer Cliff Brown said he would have liked to have taken The Inferno to Flemington for a look at the straight course ahead of the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) on Saturday.
Only trainers with horses prepared at Flemington, including Nature Strip, Home Affairs and Masked Crusader, were given the opportunity to trial down the straight prior to Saturday’s contest.
Brown said The Inferno, who is an $18 chance in the Lightning with TAB, was at a disadvantage compared to his rivals that sees Nature Strip as the $2.50 market leader.
Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich said the club was looking into whether horses entered for their four Group 1 sprints over the straight course at Flemington may in future get to see the track.
“In our view we need to protect the integrity of the track and ensure its in pristine condition,” Rosich told RSN.
“There needs to be a balance and I have spoken to Cliff personally to get his views and I think it is something we can look at to get that balance right.”
The Inferno, who won the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley in September at his second Australian start, has not raced since finishing tenth in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick in October.
The gelding trialled at Cranbourne on February 7, finishing sixth over 990m, and Brown said there was improvement to come from The Inferno after Saturday’s race.
“None of mine head off completely wound up. I would prefer they keep on progressing in further runs and he’s no different,” Brown said.
“It’s a terribly hard race and we’ll be out the back, but if we can make ground up and so long as he comes through it well, I’ll be pleased.”
The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 and the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 25 are likely next options for The Inferno.
Long term Brown would like to take the sprinter to Queensland for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and The Stradbroke during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.