Dry track hope for The Inferno in the Manikato Stakes

Can The Inferno upset the odds-on favourite Imperatriz in the Manikato Stakes, trainer Cliff Brown doubts it.

But the Mornington-based trainer heads to Moonee Valley on Saturday for the Group 1 1200m sprint confident The Inferno is in great order.

“She’s a great mare and her runs have been fantastic, but he’s in great order,” Brown said.

A former Singapore champion, The Inferno scored at his second Australian start taking out the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in September 2021, but has been winless in 14 runs since.

The Inferno did follow that McEwen success with a narrow second in the Group 1 Moir Stakes which earned the sprinter a call up to The Everest in which he finished tenth behind Nature Strip.

Wet tracks have thwarted The Inferno throughout his Australian career, and all the trainer wants on Saturday is a firm deck to race on.

And surprisingly for Brown, The Inferno keeps racing well at Moonee Valley as judged by his last start fourth behind Imperatriz in a record-breaking win in the Moir Stakes on September 29.

“He loves The Valley. It’s bazaar for a big horse,” Brown said.

“But what I don’t want is any rain.

“Two things we have learned, his feet are good, that is significant, and the farrier has done a good job with him, and the other thing is he needs firm tracks.”

The Inferno has barrier three in Saturday’s sprint which Brown concedes is not ideal for the sprinter who will be given time to balance up and charge late.

“I think the draw is a bit sticky, but so long as he’s hitting the line, we’ll be really happy, and it will set him up for his next run,” Brown said.

The Manikato Stakes may only have seven starters, but Brown suggests there is quality amongst the starters besides Imperatriz.

“I think the horse of Ciaron’s, down the bottom (I Am Me), is a mare with good ability, Uncommon James is a Group 1 winner,” Brown said.

“I think it’s a hard race. They always are.”