Wez Hunter is keeping his options open with Bel Thor who is nominated for Moonee Valley and the George Ryder Stakes in Sydney.
Bel Thor is the lowest-rated of the 18 George Ryder Stakes nominations.
But he is adept in rain-affected going and he has yet to miss a place from seven runs on slow or heavy tracks in lesser company.
The George Ryder Stakes meeting on Saturday could be run on a wet track if forecasts are right.
“That’s the only reason we chucked him in the Ryder,” Hunter said.
“At weight-for-age he’s obviously massively disadvantaged and if we got rain here in Melbourne I’d be happy to stay at home.”
Hunter is likely to accept with Bel Thor in both races but said he would only head to Sydney if the acceptances for the Ryder were small and the track was going to be wet.
“He gets in with 55.5 (kilos) in an open handicap (at Moonee Valley) so he’s still pretty well weighted there compared to taking on the likes of Boban and the best horses in the country at level weights,” Hunter said.
The Mornington trainer is also looking at a more suitable Sydney option for Bel Thor on Saturday week, the Group Three Neville Selwood Stakes (2000m).
Bel Thor was second to Fat Al in the Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo last start on a slow track.
The son of God’s Own has placed in stakes company in the Eclipse Stakes and Golden Mile this season and Hunter believes the galloper is continuing to get better.
“I think in 12 months he’ll be a really nice horse,” he said.
Chris Symons will ride Bel Thor if he runs at Moonee Valley.
