Racing: Praecido backed at long odds

Lion Tamer, who beat Praecido in the Ming Dynasty Quality last month. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Sydney colt Praecido has been backed at long odds to upset the favourites in today's A$1.5 million Victoria Derby.

Trainer David Payne is not concerned about the uncertain weather, believing Praecido can adapt to any conditions.

Praecido was at A$15 with most agencies yesterday after being as long as A$26.

Initial forecasts of heavy rain from this morning onwards have been revised and the weather is now expected to turn mid-afternoon with the Derby (2500m) run at 2.55pm (AEDT).

Flemington track manager Mick Goodie went so far as to put 3mm of irrigation on the track overnight Thursday when the forecast was amended.

"The forecast is for a couple of mils of rain before the first race, then maybe three to four mils during the afternoon," Goodie said.

"Then they're saying about 15 on Saturday night and Sunday, it's a bit of an Armageddon."

"If we can get through with seven or eight mils I'll take that."

Praecido finished a half-length second to Derby rival Lion Tamer in the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on a wet Randwick track on September 4.

Payne is also convinced Praecido has the physique to run 2500 metres which may be a query for some of his rivals.

"He's a lightly framed horse, he's a real stayer, you can see it," he said.

"He has adapted well in Melbourne and has been happy in his work.

"I came down and saw him on Tuesday and I'm very happy."

Craig Williams is also happy to be riding Praecido, having been replaced on the favourite Rekindled Interest by Dwayne Dunn.

Williams has been aboard Rekindled Interest in four of his six career starts but was dumped after steering him to fifth in the Caulfield Guineas.

Dunn's first ride resulted in victory in last Saturday's AAMI Vase and he retained the mount for the Derby.

Williams rode Praecido when he finished fifth in the Fernhill Handicap won by Kudakulari in April.

"I rode him when he was a two-year-old and he has developed a lot mentally," Williams said.

"He stands up to all conditions and I think the Sydney form is stronger than the Melbourne form so it's a good ride to have."

Praecido was ridden by Michael Rodd when he dead-heated with Shootoff for third in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes won by Erewhon from his stablemate Retrieve, who is challenging Rekindled Interest for Derby favouritism.

The four-week break does not concern Payne.

"A small horse like him, it's not a worry," he said.

Praecido races in the orange and black colours of David Cordina, also the owner of Centennial Park who races in the last race on the programme, the Group Three AAMI Business Insurance Chatham Stakes (1400m). Centennial Park was victorious in the race in 2009 and although he hasn't managed to win since his recent form is solid including his seventh, beaten less than three lengths, in the Epsom Handicap won by Captain Sonador.

- AAP