Wet track query for Atmospherical

Friday 19 August 2016, 5:22pm

Trainer Robert Smerdon's Carlyon Stakes plan for Atmospherical could be undone by the weather.

Smerdon has waited to start Atmospherical in Saturday's 1000m Listed race at Moonee Valley since the sprinter's third in the Sir John Monash Stakes at Caulfield five weeks ago.

"We had her in last week but it was a mares' handicap and it was not going to do anything for her value if she was competitive there," Smerdon said.

"We've looked at this race because she's effective over 1000 metres and it's a black-type race.

"If this race had have been two weeks ago she would have been running then.

"The issue against her tomorrow is if the track is wet. She's not at her most effective on a wet track. A seriously affected track would be a negative for her."

After 5.5mm of rain in the 24 hours to Friday afternoon, Moonee Valley was rated a soft (5).

"Further heavy rain during the evening and early morning will push the rating to soft (6)," a Moonee Valley track update said.

Atmospherical, a dual Listed winner, was formerly trained in Sydney by David Pfieffer and joined Smerdon's stable before her autumn campaign this year.

Atmospherical crossed the line fourth in the Monash Stakes (1100m) last month but was promoted on protest ahead of Lord Of The Sky after he shifted out at the 200m.

"Nick Hall wasn't saying she would have beaten Wild Rain but said he felt confident she would have fought it out with her if she hadn't had her momentum taken away," Smerdon said.

The trainer says he is unsure of future plans for Atmospherical who has just turned six.

"She might be off to stud on Monday, who knows?," he said.

"It's sort of race by race with her."

– AAP

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