Lightly raced four-year-oldĀ IllationĀ is likely to sneak into the final field for theĀ MemsieĀ Stakes at Caulfield.
The Mick Price andĀ Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper is 19thĀ in the order of entry into Saturday’s 1400m Group 1 contest that has a field limit of 16, plus four emergencies.
There were 20 nominations for the race when they closedĀ on Monday.
Price said on Tuesday that his intelligence was Illation should make the field when acceptances are declared on Wednesday.
“Jockey managers usually know everything that is going on and theyĀ haveĀ said there is at least five that are not going to run, so he gets into the 16,” Price said.
“So,Ā I’m thinking he’s running.
“We haven’t calculated whether he gets a run in the Open Handicap and he’s also in the Benchmark 78.
“So, there is someĀ race he’ll run in on Saturday.”
Illation, a winner of his only three starts, is also entered for the 1400m Open Handicap and the 1400m Benchmark 78.
The horseĀ is number 25 in the entry order for the Open Handicap while heĀ is number two for the Benchmark 78Ā butĀ will be asked to carry 63kg if he runs in that race.
“This is a problem with an 84-rater trying to get him into good races,”Ā Price said.
“When the rating is up, you can go bang, bang, bang, but when its down, you can miss out on aĀ race,Ā and you can lose your rhythm.”
Illation, who was ridden by Jamie KahĀ who will ride the four-year-old in whatever race he runs in on Saturday,Ā was joined by stablemate I’m ThunderstruckĀ in a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning on a track that was softened byĀ overnight rain.
“Jamie Kah said he felt fantastic,” Price said.
Illation shares TAB favouritism at $5.50 with Western Empire ahead of Wednesday’s final acceptance and barrier draw.
