In an ideal world, Muramasa would not be lining up at Caulfield.
But trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young realise that to be a contender in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, Muramasa needs to run on Saturday.
Muramasa is down to contest the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) as a steppingstone to the Derby, but Busuttin and Young are wary of the Heavy track.
Caulfield was rated a Heavy 10 on Friday with hopes of an upgrade to a Heavy 9, or possibly a Heavy 8, at some stage on Saturday.
But it is way short of a firm track that Busuttin suggests Muramasa is looking for.
Muramasa has raced only twice, for a debut Sale maiden win over 1400m before finishing seventh in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last month.
The Deep Impact colt was an emergency in last week’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m), but with no scratchings on race morning did not make the field.
Busuttin said Muramasa was in great shape for Saturday’s contest.
“He’s flying,” Busuttin said.
“He’s very well but he’s one of these horses by a Japanese sire that wants a dry track. Unfortunately, he’s not going to get that, but he will be running.
“We’re hoping he is Derby bound, but we won’t push it. We’ll let Saturday tell us if he gets there.”
Busuttin said race experience was what Muramasa required.
He said the Stutt Stakes race was a non-event in a race dominated from on the speed.
But Busuttin conceded Muramasa was not sharp enough at The Valley and will appreciate the rise in trip on Saturday.
“He was a touch slow away and when it was time to get going, he was on the bridle, off the bridle,” Busuttin said.
“The penny hasn’t dropped with him yet. He’s a proper horse and we’re asking him to do a bit, but on a dry track he would be right there amongst it.
“Unfortunately, we’re not going to get a dry track.”
Muramasa sits on the third line of betting at $6 with TAB and is one of only three horses at single figure odds in the race.
New Zealand colt Mr Maestro, who has campaigned exclusively in Melbourne this campaign, is the $1.70 favourite ahead of Red Run Sensation ($5).
