Predicted wet weather has Richards rethinking Tapinforpar's race

Gordon Richards and Damien Moyle's Morphettville stable possess an alternative strategy if the expected rainfall strikes this coming weekend.

Tapinforpar is set to contest The Dominant Advantage Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks on Saturday, but the trainer is unhappy with the meteorological outlook.

In the event the forecasted rain occurs, Richards mentioned Tapinforpar would most likely be saved for the Murray Bridge card a week on Saturday.

At present, focus remains on this Saturday's race, and Richards confirmed Tapinforpar is primed for the 1400m challenge.

"This prep has been really good," Richards said.

"He won first-up over 1200 (metres) at Gawler and then I thought he was caught in the wrong part of track second up and it could have been a bit of the 'old' second-up syndrome as well, but he didn't get beaten very far.

He ran well the other day, but being a big horse, he had trouble negotiating through the field and then he dived late."

While Richards admitted Tapinforpar could prefer the broader Morphettville layout over Parks, the gelding handles the 1400m well.

"We've got him out over a mile a couple of times and he tends to over-race early and then doesn't have the finish," Richards said.

"The only place they have 1400-metre races is at Murray Bridge or the inner track here at Morphettville.

Murray Bridge is alright, he has raced well up there before, and our intentions were if he didn't draw a barrier this week, we would go to the Bridge next week.

He's drawn a good barrier, but having said that, I don't know what's going to happen with the rain.

It might throw everyone's plans into confusion."

Richards himself noted that Tapinforpar's prior campaign was underwhelming, linked to heavy ground.

This time around, though, Tapinforpar is performing steadily again and is one success away from exceeding $300,000 in stakes.

The trainer continues with Connor Murtagh, who debuted aboard the gelding recently.

"He's consistent, but you seem to go up in the ratings when you run seconds or thirds without getting a picture on the wall," Richards said.

"We've stuck with Connor because he rode him well the other day and the horse seemed to respond to him and he's learned a bit about the horse also.

We're hoping that will pay a dividend."

Explore the online bookmakers offering keen betting markets for the race at Morphettville Parks.