The rescheduling of the Grand National Steeplechase has prompted trainer Eric Musgrove to give Thubiaan a run on the flat at Moonee Valley.
Thubiaan contests the William Hill Handicap (2500m) on Saturday and will be ridden by Jye McNeil.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – 11/05/2014: Thubiaan winning the Follow @MRCTrackNews on Twitter at Sandown ridden by Martin Kelly and trained by Eric Musgrove – (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
The heavy ground at Ballarat last week forced the transfer of the flat races to Geelong on Sunday with the Grand National rescheduled to Ballarat on August 9.
Musgrove is concerned the lack of race fitness may count against Thubiaan when he lines up in the Grand National.
“I wouldn’t imagine he’ll be competitive (on Saturday) as he’s been trained to run over 4500 metres,” Musgrove said.
“It will be a nice clean-up for him and he’ll be out there doing his best.
“He’s trained to stay a fair bit further and will be back on pretty heavy ground at Ballarat and a month between runs is probably a bit too long.”
Thubiaan won three feature steeplechases at his first three outings following a switch from hurdling in April, with the Australian Steeplechase at Ballarat on May 31 among them.
He finished fifth behind Sea King in the Mosstrooper Steeplechase at Bendigo on June 28 before losing rider Richard Eynon at Warrnambool in the Crisp Steeplechase on July 12.
Musgrove said the two weeks between Warrnambool and the Grand National at Ballarat would have suited.
“It would have been ideal for him last week but you can’t do much about the weather,” he said.
Thubiaan is at $51 on Saturday when he will be pitted against fellow jumper Stand To Gain ($61) while the Chris Waller-trained stablemates Reigning and Sir Mako share favouritism at $4.60.
