If racetracks could be built with roofs over them then New Zealand trainer Jamie Richards would like one at The Valley.
Richards has Probabeel running in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday and is concerned a wet track will dent her chances.
Probabeel has been to The Valley twice previously and has been brought undone by rain-affected ground, finishing seventh in last year’s Cox Plate before running 12th in the All-Star Mile.
Richards will contemplate scratching Probabeel on Saturday morning if he deems the track too wet but said he would confer with the mare’s owners after watching racing from The Valley on Friday night.
Marty Synan, track manager at The Valley, said showers are forecast through Friday night’s meeting and rain is to follow with 15-20mm expected between 10pm and 6am on Saturday.
“We’re going in with a positive mindset telling ourselves the rain is not going to arrive, it’s going to be great,” Richards told RSN.
“We’ll have to see what happens overnight. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the racing there overnight and reassessing in the morning.
“The plan is to run, we want to run, we want to be a part of it, and we want to compete, but if the rain arrives and it got to slow or heavy, then she’s a doubtful starter.
“We got caught out in last year’s Cox Plate and in the All-Star Mile where we’ve made the wrong decisions and we’re very mindful of that.
“Ultimately with Brendan and Jo (Lindsay) we’ll have a bit of a talk before scratching time, and we’ll have a decision to make.”
Probabeel enters Saturday’s race in excellent shape.
After chasing Zaaki home in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Sandown, Probabeel defeated Caulfield Cup runner-up Nonconformist in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 9.
And despite having to train the mare remotely from New Zealand, all reports are she is in top order.
“I’m relying on Ashley (Handley), but she’s got a good handle on the horses over there,” Richards said.
“They all seem to be eating well, look well and are training well.
“I think everything has gone according to plan. She’s had that good, hard run over 2000 metres, and she should be somewhere near full fitness.
“It will be a high-pressure race, but hopefully we can be competitive.”
