The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable has decided to keep Storm Season in Melbourne for her return to the track.
Storm Season was entered in the Petaluma Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday, but the stable elected to start the mare in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown instead.
A sparingly raced daughter of Toronado, Storm Season has not competed since early December when she was victorious over 1500m at Caulfield Heath. That win followed a first-up success at Kembla Grange.
Kent Jnr advised that Storm Season experienced a minor injury following her two-race summer campaign but has since trialled well in preparation for her comeback.
The co-trainer conceded that the heavy track conditions expected at Sandown are an unknown quantity for the mare, who placed on soft ground at Morphettville in May last year.
“She won both her starts last time in and then she pulled up with an injury after her Caulfield victory, so we gave her some time out,” Kent Jnr said.
“She’s come up really well and typically goes well fresh. She’s trialled well twice, she’s drawn to get the right run, off the speed and off the fence.”
“The big unknown is it will be her first go on heavy ground and the race club is predicting anywhere from four to 15 mils of rain on race day.
“So, come the last (race), hopefully we avoid it. If they do get 15 mils of rain, that track might be pretty dire on Saturday, which could dent the confidence quite a bit, but if we miss a lot of it, then I think she’s a nice chance.
“Yes, she will improve for absolute race fitness, but she is a big mare that will enjoy that big track at Sandown.”
Apprentice Logan Bates will ride Storm Season for the first time, and his 1.5kg claim will see her carry 57.5kg.
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