The team of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr expected damp weather in Sydney’s autumn period and built La Fracas’ schedule around such scenarios.

Price regards the gelding as among the elite, potentially the standout, on soft ground that he has ever prepared.

Yet, the going was unsuitable for La Fracas in both of his Sydney starts, so the stable opted to bring him home to contest the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington on Saturday.

“We had him up in our Rosehill stable hoping for some moisture, and it seemed every time we were zigging, the rain was zagging,” Kent Jnr said.

“First-up 1100 (metres), we went back from the gate, and he worked home well then second-up, he was the only horse all day to break 34 (seconds) last 600 (metres).

“He got a long way back and out wide in inferior ground.

“We had intentions of running him in the Hall Mark (Stakes on Saturday at Randwick), but it’s very warm and sunny, so we thought the Hareeba looks a beautiful back-up plan.

“He’s won at Mornington before, it’s a toe in track and there is rain about and thankfully he’s drawn a beautiful gate.

“He looks poised to run a very good race.”

Kent Jnr mentioned that Brisbane loomed after Sydney in the plans for La Fracas, a path that could still materialise.

The co-trainer stressed that Saturday’s performance will dictate next steps.

The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on May 9 is possible, as is Warrnambool should rain continue.

“We originally thought we would be Sydney then Queensland, but you have to put them where they can win, so it’s one race at a time,” Kent Jnr said.

“He’s a benchmark 90 gelding at the moment, so we’ll worry about Saturday first, but there is Adelaide, there’s the Wangoom, or there’s Brisbane, depending on what happens at Mornington.”

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