The unpredictable nature of Melbourne’s weather has prompted trainer Michael Shepherdson to send a two-horse team to Adelaide, aiming for success at Morphettville Parks.

Shepherdson, based in Geelong, will present My Zephyr in the Mimi’s Fast Fillies Handicap over 1250 metres, and Real Heir in the Beyond Bank Handicap over 1000 metres on Saturday.

My Zephyr had also been nominated for the HKJC World Pool Grand Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday, but Shepherdson indicated that the weather forecast in Melbourne was the primary factor influencing his decision.

“It’s a much easier race over in Adelaide and there looks like there could be some rain in Melbourne on Saturday,” Shepherdson stated. “She’s better on drier ground and third-up, blinkers on, we’re hoping it’s the right ingredients for her.”

He added, “She didn’t have a lot of room or a lot of luck last start at Geelong and we think third-up she’s close to her peak. We’ve left the blinkers off in her first couple and thinking third-up it might be the time to strike with them on.”

Real Heir, the recent winner of a maiden at Yarra Valley, is also heading to Adelaide, with Shepherdson suggesting that a change of scenery will significantly benefit the gelding.

“He’s always shown good talent,” Shepherdson commented. “He’s probably typical of the Hanseatics, they’ve got plenty of speed as young horses, but they’re probably not strong, or mentally strong, and he’s needed a bit of time.”

Shepherdson continued, “He’s come back really well after a good spell. He ran well at Ballarat and pretty much dominated at Yarra Valley last start. He is a bold, strong horse, more so on the ground than riding him, and we feel a trip away will further develop him as well.”

“It’s a logical step after winning your maiden to aim for a zero to 64, and a metro race in Adelaide is a good, logical step.”

Although he looked for suitable races at his home track in Geelong on Saturday, Shepherdson frequently makes the trip to Adelaide from his home base.

However, with the weather forecast uncertain, he concluded that travelling was the sensible course of action.

“It’s good prize money over there for the quality of horse they are,” Shepherdson remarked. “You are going over to a race where there might be five or six chances, whereas you run in the same sort of quality race in Melbourne, and there will be 10 or 12 chances. It’s a good opportunity for them in something a bit easier.”

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