Nadal’s 2026 Standish Hnadicap hopes weather-dependent

Nadal’s potential rematch with Hedged in next Saturday’s $200,000 Standish Handicap at Flemington may hinge on how Melbourne’s weather unfolds this week.

The Ciaron Maher stable is preparing the five-year-old son of Xtravagant for the 1200-metre Group 3, but is remaining cautious given the forecast conditions.

With extreme heat expected midweek before cooler temperatures and the chance of showers on raceday, assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the gelding would likely need some give in the ground to take his place.

“It’s an option, six furlongs down the straight (appeals), but it’s more weather-dependent,” Turnbull said from Geelong, where the track was rated a Good 3 on Saturday.

“If the ground was to be like today, you’d probably wait. We’d love a drop of rain and we’re under no pressure, because he could really just keep poking along through autumn and through winter even.

“He’s being prepped for it, but whether or not we do go, we’ll have to see.”

Nadal’s best performance of the campaign came when finishing second to Hedged in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) on Boxing Day, and Turnbull said the run provided plenty of encouragement despite the 2½-length defeat.

“He was good, he just got back and had to run through a bit of traffic, but the winner was pretty impressive,” Turnbull said.

“It was much better. He’s probably at his peak for fitness, now we’ve just got maintain that and hold his action.

“He went out last prep for knee issues, so it’s a matter of us just holding that balance, which we have.

“He’s been fine at the moment, but to run him on a fast track would probably be a chance to undo him.”

Maher could still have a runner in the Standish even if Nadal bypasses the race, with Extratwo also under consideration.

The Toronado mare finished sixth in the Christmas Stakes, a length behind Nadal, and Turnbull said the stable is assessing the most suitable placement.

“Either we run there or there’s a 1200 or a 1400 (benchmark) 84 the week after we could claim in,” Turnbull said.

“She’s on the borderline of being a Listed, Group 3 mare in the right class and race, but we just need to place her as best we can.”

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