Forecast keeps Duke De Sessa in Melbourne

The forecast of some favourable weather has resulted in Duke De Sessa remaining in Melbourne for a shot at a Group 1 race.

The Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday was chosen for the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper in preference over a trip to NSW to contest the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on Friday.

Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the weather forecast of some rain to soften the Caulfield track was appealing to the team.

However, only 1.4mm fell at Caulfield on Thursday night, although showers are forecast throughout Friday and possibly Saturday morning.

Duke De Sessa will be lining up for the fifth run of his campaign and will be one of the race fit brigade in Saturday’s race.

The gelding was a last start second to Young Werther over 2000m at Caulfield on August 31 where he set a good clip in front.

“We galloped him the reverse way last week in preparation to go to the Newcastle Cup, but with the weather, we’re supposed to get a little bit of rain down here, we’ve decided to keep him here,” Turnbull said.

“His last run here was super. They went at breakneck speed, he sustained the gallop and that’s when he does his best.

“For his career, it rated one of his highest performances which would have him pretty competitive on Saturday if he can repeat that.”

Turnbull said with race fitness on his side, Duke De Sessa was again likely to roll forward.

“He’s got to be a little chance,” Turnbull said.

“There doesn’t look to be serious speed in the race. He’ll probably roll forward again and be a part of the speed.

“He’s a very fit horse.”

Duke De Sessa, who finished ninth in last year’s Caulfield Cup, is again entered in this year’s race and is number 31 in the Order of Entry.

Turnbull said where Duke De Sessa runs after Saturday will be weather dependant, but the gelding also holds an entry for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5.

“It’s an option and weather dependant,” Turnbull said.

“If it looked like being wet up there, we could certainly flick him up there.

“Soft ground is the key with him, and we haven’t really got it as frequently as we would like.”