Nigel Blackiston is considering other options for Sandown acceptor Ferro Nero because of the predicted hot weather.
Blackiston rates Ferro Nero as a stayer of the future and said he was planning to bypass a Sandown race on Wednesday.
The Flemington trainer insists running the four-year-old on Saturday over 2500m at his home track is a better alternative as he looks towards potential interstate trip later in the preparation.
“Tomorrow is just going to be too hot,” Blackiston said.
“He might go there and run really well (tomorrow), but it’s how they recover and it could put an end to your whole program.”
Racing Victoria has its heat policy procedures in place for Wednesday.
Ferro Nero has won two of his past three starts having taken until his 11th start to break his maiden.
He finished strongly from last to win over 2100m at Sandown on December 30 and Blackiston has loftier races in mind.
“His sectionals last start were quite incredible. He’s always shown to me that he’s a horse with above average ability,” Blackiston said.
Blackiston said if he decided to run Ferro Nero at Flemington it would provide a pointer towards potential targets later in the campaign.
“It would give me a good guide if he could measure up to something like the Adelaide Cup,” Blackiston said.
