Trainer Cliff Brown is close to starting Singapore star The Inferno but is concerned about the gelding’s fitness leading into his Australian debut.
Racing as Inferno in Singapore, the son of Holy Roman Emperor came to Australia with Brown after the trainer decided to base himself at Mornington earlier in the year.
Brown has tentatively pencilled in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 14 for the gelding to kick-off in.
But a lack of suitable jump-outs in recent weeks has Brown concerned as to The Inferno’s level of fitness.
Brown is hoping to take The Inferno to Caulfield on Tuesday for a jump-out, but that may be thwarted by a large number of Caulfield-trained horses expected to jump-out following last week’s five days of no racing, and no trials.
The other option for Brown is a race day gallop.
While The Inferno was a dominant galloper in Singapore, Brown is unsure where the sprinter fits in Australia.
And his fear is with a lack of fitness The Inferno’s performance in the Regal Roller may not give Brown a true indication.
“My greatest concern if I’m going to head to a Regal Roller is not knowing where he is ability wise and I’m not going to get a true guide because he’s won’t be fit,” Brown said.
“So, it’s not going to be a great guide because he won’t be fit enough and I need to get a bit more serious work into him somewhere.”
The Inferno has not raced since winning Singapore’s premier sprint, the Lion City Cup (1200m) last October.
He was among acceptors for the Hong Kong International Sprint at Sha Tin last December, but was withdrawn following an air conditioning malfunction prior to leaving Singapore and then having a foot issue in Hong Kong.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au