Gai Waterhouse is battling to have her Cox Plate entrant Descarado fit for Saturday’s big race.
The Caulfield Stakes winner was a notable absentee from Tuesday’s public workouts at Moonee Valley due to swelling in a leg.
But Waterhouse said she was 98 per cent sure the gelding would take his place in the weight-for-age championship.
She said it was a minor issue and connections would pay the acceptance fee to put him in the field.
“He has a bit of heat in one leg but we will be accepting for the Cox Plate,” Waterhouse said.
“I’m 98 per cent sure he will be there.”
Chief steward Terry Bailey said Descarado would be examined on Friday and rated the injury a grade one out of a high of five.
AAP TURF