Weather guide to Casque’s Sandown hopes
Trainer Robbie Laing has already rejigged Casque’s program because of hot weather and is hoping the latest Melbourne forecast is wrong.
Laing has Casque engaged in the Thoroughbred Club Handicap (1200m) at Sandown on Wednesday and is concerned the predicted temperature of 32 degrees could affect the three-year-old.
Casque was down to run in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday but with a forecast of 34 deg, Laing elected to scratch and keep the colt for Wednesday.
Laing said Casque had felt the effects of of a hard run at Flemington the week before when eighth to Perpetual Crisis in a blanket finish to the Inglis Dash.
“We scratched from Saturday because it was so hot,” Laing said.
“He was due to back up after being hot and bothered at Flemington a week earlier.
“He only got beaten 1.6 lengths there when he came down the outside rail and it was a really good run.
“So we just thought we’d give him an extra few days to get over that run.”
Casque was scheduled to meet Legless Veuve, Into Orbit, Hey Doc, Derryn and Morton’s Fork, all potential Australian Guineas contenders in the Manfred Stakes, while on Wednesday he’s pitted against other potential Guineas runners, Kaching and Comic Set.
“It was a hot field on Saturday and it’s a bit of a race again on Wednesday but he’s drawn well,” Laing said.
“If he puts his best foot forward and runs up to his last two starts where he’s been beaten 1.8 lengths and 1.6 lengths in good Saturday fields, I’m sure he’s going to run well.”
Laing has resorted to keeping Casque to shorter trips after stepping him up in distance early in his three -year-old campaign.
After running fourth over 1728m in maiden grade at Sale in November, Casque won over 1000m at Cranbourne the following month.
“Since we’ve brought him back to sprint trips he’s been really consistent,” Laing said.
“He’s got early pace and over 1200 metres he should lob in a good spot.”