A minor spike in temperature could present a major opportunity for the latest eastern states horse to be ruled out of the Perth racing carnival.
Albert The Fat, who joined Australian racing’s big league with his thrilling Emirates Stakes win, will miss his chance at more Group One glory in the $1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot.
“He was booked for the plane flight but this morning he had an elevated temperature,” trainer Chris Waller said.
Albert The Fat was given 57kg equal topweight in the Railway Stakes when handicaps were released on Monday.
“History was against him a bit with that weight but I still thought he was capable of winning,” Waller said.
Waller’s decision to abandon Albert The Fat’s Western Australia trip is the second carnival blow within 24 hours for Perth thoroughbred officials.
Racing’s ultimate drawcard Black Caviar was ruled out of the Winterbottom Stakes to be saved for a 2012 campaign which is expected to showcase her talents on the international stage.
Waller, too, is thinking what role he can play in the overseas racing scene with Albert The Fat.
Confirming a Dubai campaign was now back on the table, the premier Sydney trainer described Albert The Fat as “the perfect horse” for a Middle East excursion.
“Apart from the little hiccup with his temperature this morning, he’s a horse with a great constitution,” Waller said.
“As of five o’clock on Monday, because he was going to Perth, Dubai probably was only a remote chance.
“Now it is something we are thinking about very seriously again.”
Waller has tentatively mapped out a three-start Dubai World Cup carnival campaign in February and March.
He said Albert The Fat would be part of a “four or five-horse” team he would like to send overseas.
“I’ve spoken to Tony Noonan who has taken a team over to Dubai and had success,” Waller said.
“The climate is similar to ours and if you’ve got the right horse you can win.
“The reason Tony hasn’t been back for a while is that he hasn’t the right horse.”
A Dubai assault would allow Waller more flexibility in the programming of his carnival horses.
“While having three or four runners in a race gives you a good shot a winning, it’s not really ideal,” Waller said.
“This way, by going to Dubai, we are spreading the risk and opening up more opportunities.”
A Hong Kong stopover to take in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin also figures in Waller’s plans for Albert The Fat.
AAP TURF
