SYDNEY - New Zealand trainer Mike Moroney is keeping a close eye on the weather as he contemplates Second Coming's chances for the Caulfield Cup tomorrow.
Moroney said Preparations for the $A2 million 2400m race had this week been "perfect".
But there were also two questions marks over Second Coming's prospects of turning that into a top result, one of which was the weather.
Forecasters have predicted rain today, a situation that Moroney said would make life tough for the six-year-old gelding.
"The rain will make the track dead to slow, even if it fines up on Friday afternoon, and that's a big worry," he said.
"We're hoping it doesn't deteriorate too much, because the firmer the better for him."
Another concern was Second Coming's previous performances at Caulfield's tight track.
"He's had four to five runs there and I don't think he's been in the money," Moroney said.
"He might have had excuses each time, but his record there is not that flash."
Second Coming is being targeted ultimately for next month's Melbourne Cup at Flemington, where he ran seventh last year, and Moroney had considered bypassing the Caulfield Cup for next Wednesday's Geelong Cup.
After tossing up between the two events, he decided that the horse, listed at 50-1 by bookmakers, deserved a chance at the big money.
"Our line of thinking was that it's expensive to put him in unless he's going to have a chance," he said.
"We think he has, so we're going to have a crack."
Second Coming is one of four New Zealand-trained entries in the 18-strong field along with Kaapstad Way, Hill Of Grace and Pravda. A fifth New Zealand horse, The Message, is the third emergency.
Moroney was reasonably happy with the barrier draw of nine, having wanted something in single figures. If the three emergencies are the only scratchings, Second Coming will move in one spot to eight.
Winner of the Wellington Cup, Second Coming finished fifth on a dead track in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last month.
He followed up with a last placing in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington earlier this month when carrying 59kg, 6.5kg above his Caulfield Cup weight.
"He was fifth behind Sunline in the Feehan when he looked like he should have run third," Moroney said.
"His next run was on a wet track when he was quite badly off with the weight as well. This will be the first time he's back on handicaps and at what is more his distance."
Moroney described the Caulfield Cup field as an even one and possibly not as strong as in other years.
He classed favourite Fairway, despite the wide draw of 15, and the Gai Waterhouse-trained mare Coco Cabanna as the likely main dangers.
But he indicated that another fancied entry, French stayer Mont Rocher, could have problems with the course.
"They say he's quite a smart horse, but he's still got to race around Caulfield," he said.
"If there's one thing that could trip him up, the track could well be it."
The bookmaker's market in Melbourne last night for the Caulfield Cup was.- 4 Fairway; 7 Hill Of Grace; 8 Coco Cobanna, Ken's Joy, Mont Rocher; 9 Freemason; 12 Diatribe; 14 Kaapstad Way; 16 Camarena, Streak; 20 All The Way; 25 Citra's Prince; 33 Magneto, Majestic Avenue, Pravda; 40 Celestial Show; 50 Fuss, Prince Benbara, Second Coming; 66 Go Flash Go; 100 The Message.
- NZPA
Racing: Kiwi trainer on weather watch
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