The amount of rain forecast for Melbourne on Friday is likely to see Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani head to Adelaide with stayers Sous Les Nuages and Nobel Heights.
Both are among acceptors for the Reed Cranes and Transport Marathon Handicap (2500m) at Cranbourne on Saturday and the Claude Haigh Memorial Handicap (2250m) at Morphettville Parks.
Cumani said Sous Les Nuages was most likely to go while he was in discussions with the owners of Nobel Heights about their preferred option.
“Adelaide is probably best for both of them, it’s a pity it’s a drop in distance,” Cumani said.
“I think it’s an easier race and not too vulnerable to the weather either.”
Sous Les Nuages has had three starts since arriving from France.
After starts over 1630m at Flemington and 2000m at Caulfield, the son of Holy Roman Emperor was stepped up to 2500m in the Hotham Stakes at Flemington, finishing eighth to Great House.
“His last race was not a very good race for him because he was taking on horses that were much higher rated than him and he was carrying a similar type of weight as them,” Cumani said.
“I was a little disappointed in that he didn’t finish off a little better, and that is why I’m keen to drop him right back to his class and see how he goes at Morphettville.”
Nobel Heights is in better form having been placed over 2000m at Mornington before scoring over 2400m at Geelong on October 20.
“At Geelong when Jordie (Childs) asked him, he accelerated quite quick, and it almost ruined his race as he accelerated sharper than Jordie expected him to,” Cumani said.
“I think he’s nice horse that continues to improve and will continue to improve deep into his four-year-old year and hopefully he can keep climbing the grade, but I’m mindful of not wanting a wet track.”
Cumani said the Caulfield meeting on November 27, or the Pakenham Cup on December 4 were options for the pair, depending on how they performed on Saturday.
