Trainer Cliff Brown has not totally ruled out a start in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington but says The Inferno should be considered a doubtful starter.

The Inferno was a little sore in the days following the Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 19 after almost falling early in the race.

The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 12 may come around too soon for the former Singapore star.

“He’s OK now but he was pretty sore, so we got Brendan McCarthy to come in and have a look at him,” Brown said.

“He trotted up fine and there was no lameness, but he was uncomfortable through the back and neck.

As Brendan explained, ‘they do the splits, it takes a toll’. He wasn’t sore, just uncomfortable.

“The pleasing thing is he’s bright and he’s healthy and he’s eating up, so I’ll let him tell me when he’s right to go again.”

Brown said ideally, he would like to take The Inferno back to the trials before starting him again.

He said whether he has one or two jump-outs at Mornington would be determined by the progress The Inferno makes in the next week.

“I’d like to take him back to the trials and make sure everything is right with him,” Brown said.

While a start in the Newmarket is doubtful, Brown is hoping to get The Inferno back for the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on March 25.

The Inferno scored at his second Australian start claiming the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley last September before finishing second to Wild Ruler in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at that track in his next outing.

“He likes The Valley,” Brown said.

“But he might like the straight at Flemington also, but we never got a guide the other day.”