Bel Esprit Stakes decision pending for Katsu

Promising sprinter Katsu is likely to feature among acceptances at Sandown, but trainer Grahame Begg says the gelding may not be a starter.

Katsu is among the 12 horses entered for the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, but Begg wants to assess all relevant information before committing to a start.

"I'll probably accept with him and just have a look at it all," Begg said.

"I want to have a look at the barriers, the rain fall and just assess it all, but I do have a back-up at Flemington on Saturday week if I need to."

Katsu has won four of his six starts to date and scored a strong one-and-a-half length win over South Of Houston over 1000m at Sandown on April 29.

South Of Houston has since won at Flemington last Saturday.

Begg said wet weather at Cranbourne forced the cancellation of Monday's grass track jump-outs which was going to be an important steppingstone for Katsu towards Sandown.

"He missed a jump-out on Monday when they transferred them onto the Polytrack," Begg said.

"They had a heap of rain on Saturday night and called them off on Sunday, so he missed that jump-out.

"I was able to get a grass gallop into him this morning. He worked well but I'm just worried with the time between runs and missing the jump-out."

Begg said British Columbia, who is nominated for a heat of the Winter Championship (1400m) and a Benchmark 84 race over 1600m was likely to head to the latter race.

British Columbia has been a model of consistency this campaign and was a last start winner over 1400m at Sandown on May 10.

Begg said British Columbia was likely to be spelled after Saturday's outing.

"He's been in work quite a while and he's done a very good job this preparation," Begg said.

"He's not a spring horse, he's an off-season horse and he can certainly pay his way during the off-season.

"I want to look after him."