The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable had anticipated a rainy Sydney autumn and structured a preparation for La Fracas based on that expectation.

Price has indicated the gelding ranks among the top, possibly the finest, wet track specialists he has ever saddled.

That said, the footing did not suit La Fracas in his pair of Sydney appearances, prompting the team to redirect him to Victoria for the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington this Saturday.

“We had him up in our Rosehill stable hoping for some moisture, and it seemed every time we were zigging, the rain was zagging,” Kent Jnr said.

“First-up 1100 (metres), we went back from the gate, and he worked home well then second-up, he was the only horse all day to break 34 (seconds) last 600 (metres).

“He got a long way back and out wide in inferior ground.

“We had intentions of running him in the Hall Mark (Stakes on Saturday at Randwick), but it’s very warm and sunny, so we thought the Hareeba looks a beautiful back-up plan.

“He’s won at Mornington before, it’s a toe in track and there is rain about and thankfully he’s drawn a beautiful gate.

“He looks poised to run a very good race.”

Kent Jnr noted the outfit had planned a Brisbane trip following the Sydney stint with La Fracas, and that remains a possibility.

The co-trainer explained that outcomes depend on La Fracas’ effort this Saturday.

The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9 might be an option, or Warrnambool if the wet persists.

“We originally thought we would be Sydney then Queensland, but you have to put them where they can win, so it’s one race at a time,” Kent Jnr said.

“He’s a benchmark 90 gelding at the moment, so we’ll worry about Saturday first, but there is Adelaide, there’s the Wangoom, or there’s Brisbane, depending on what happens at Mornington.”

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