Melbourne’s volatile forecast will play a decisive role in whether Nadal lines up for a potential rematch with Hedged in next Saturday’s $200,000 Standish Handicap at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher stable is preparing the five-year-old son of Xtravagant for the 1200-metre Group 3, but looming heat followed by possible rain has the team cautious.
With temperatures expected to soar midweek before easing by raceday, assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said underfoot conditions would be critical.
“It’s an option, six furlongs down the straight (appeals), but it’s more weather-dependent,” Turnbull said from Geelong, where the track was rated a Good 3 on Saturday.
“If the ground was to be like today, you’d probably wait. We’d love a drop of rain and we’re under no pressure, because he could really just keep poking along through autumn and through winter even.
“He’s being prepped for it, but whether or not we do go, we’ll have to see.”
Nadal hit form last start when second to Hedged in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m), beaten 2½ lengths after encountering traffic.
“He was good, he just got back and had to run through a bit of traffic, but the winner was pretty impressive,” Turnbull said.
“It was much better. He’s probably at his peak for fitness, now we’ve just got maintain that and hold his action.
“He went out last prep for knee issues, so it’s a matter of us just holding that balance, which we have.
“He’s been fine at the moment, but to run him on a fast track would probably be a chance to undo him.”
Maher could still have representation even if Nadal is scratched, with Extratwo also under consideration.
The Toronado mare finished sixth in the Christmas Stakes and may instead be aimed at a benchmark option.
“Either we run there or there’s a 1200 or a 1400 (benchmark) 84 the week after we could claim in,” Turnbull said.
“She’s on the borderline of being a Listed, Group 3 mare in the right class and race, but we just need to place her as best we can.”