Trainer Michael Kent is hoping the skies hold off long enough for Samuel Langhorne to get his chance in the TAB We’re On (2520m) at Flemington this Saturday.

With Victoria crying out for rainfall, the irony is not lost on Kent, who would prefer minimal precipitation for his staying galloper’s sake. The track was a Soft 6 on Friday with showers forecast, while Saturday could bring up to 9mm of rain.

“He’s not a wet tracker, so I’ll be keeping an eye on that, but being the first race, he’s a bit of a chance, but a lot of rain wouldn’t be good for him,” Kent said.

Samuel Langhorne enjoyed a successful stint last year with wins at Sandown, Bendigo and Flemington, before a sixth-place finish behind The Map in the Andrew Ramsden, a Melbourne Cup pathway race.

He resumed in summer with a strong second at Ballarat but couldn’t reproduce that form in three subsequent starts.

“He had a good campaign last year and he started well for a summer campaign but then ran poorly at Sandown a couple of times,” Kent said.

“I don’t think he handled the hill as he’s a big, long-striding horse, so I thought I would wait for Flemington as there’s a series of staying races, providing the tracks don’t get too wet.”

Moonee Valley was once in consideration, but Kent opted to scratch due to track conditions, while a recent Flemington run on unsuitable ground still yielded a solid effort.

“The extra trip suits him, so hopefully the ground is not too bad.”

Jockey Blaike McDougall will reunite with Samuel Langhorne for the first time since Anzac Day last year, having partnered him to victories at both Bendigo and Flemington.