Newmarket Handicap hope Bel Sprinter has to pass a special Flemington gallop tomorrow to gain a start in the $1m sprint on Saturday.
Bel Sprinter sustained minor leg injuries when playing in his yard at trainer Jason Warren’s Balnarring property taking skin off a hind leg after kicking a rail.
Warren notified Stewards that the four year old had been treated with antibiotics for the injuries but would be right to gallop down the Flemington straight tomorrow morning to prove his fitness for the Saturday.
Stewards will require Bel Sprinter to be examined by a Racing Victoria veterinarian before and after his work out to clear him of any injury worries.
Bel Sprinter in currently second favourite for the Group 1 $1m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at $5 behind Sydney sprinter Hay List who heads the betting at $2.80 .
New sprinting sensation Rain Affair is next in line at $5.50 followed by Foxwedge and Lone Rock both on $7.
Other Newmarket contenders to line up at Flemington tomorrow include the John O’Shea trained Foxwedge, Albert The Fat, Toorak Toff, Metallurgical and the Bart Cummings trained Rock Classic.
Bel Sprinter created quite an impression when a dominant first up winner at Caulfield on February 4 in the Listed $100,000 United Arab Emirates Stakes (1000m).
The Bel Esprit gelding then had no luck in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25 when after a slow getaway he was held up for a run until well into the straight before being beaten only one a half length to finish sixth to Woorim.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy is attempting to win the Newmarket first up with Toorak Toff who will be ridden by champion jockey Damien Oliver.
“He looks an absolute picture. I’m very happy with him,” Hore-Lacy said.
