A trip to Sydney as a lead-up to a potential start in a rich restricted two-year-old race early in the New Year has attracted the attention of Shane Nichols .
The Mornington-based horseman is sending Climate Change to Randwick on Saturday to contest the Drinkwise Plate (1100m).
Saturdayâs race will give Nichols a guide as to whether Climate Change is worthy of pressing on towards a start in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick in February.
Climate Change, a daughter of Too Darn Hot, led throughout in scoring on her debut at Geelong on December 7 and Nichols said it was worth taking a shot at Saturdayâs contest.
With early scratching, Climate Change only has six opponents on Saturday, although the trainer is unsure how the filly will handle rain-affected ground.
âItâs going to be wet, and I donât know how sheâll handle that as she hasnât been on it,â Nichols said.
âBut you would think being by a son of Dubawi that she would probably handle it.
âTheyâve given me the visitors draw, but there has already been a couple of scratchings.
âIâm not that worried about drawing wide as it gives her the chance to come across. Sheâs got enough speed to go forward in a race like that, or she can take a sit.â
While Climate Change is trained in Victoria, Nichols said the filly has had plenty of experience on her Sydney leg.
âMornington training on Monday, Wednesday and Friday is always the Sydney way, so sheâs been doing it her whole life,â Nichols said.
âShe galloped on the course proper right-handed on Tuesday and handled it no worries.
âThis race will qualify her for the Inglis Millennium and although thatâs not until early February, this is the ideal week to go up and have a look.
âShe controlled the race and won after getting caught deep early at Geelong and in the end it was quite a dominant win.
âShe has trained on well since then, so I think sheâll give a good sight.â
