3 minute read

Race day pressure will answer a lot of questions over speedster Inundation for co-trainer Mick Price.

The last time Inundation raced at Moonee Valley he ran a course record over the 1000m journey. 

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained returns to the same course and distance on Saturday to contest the SteveOs Scamper Handicap. 

Price said Inundation has had numerous problems since that record-breaking run on Christmas Eve last year, the most serious being a throat condition that is slowly deteriorating. 

Following The Valley win, Inundation was sent out an odds-on favourite in two starts at Sandown and was beaten on both occasions. 

Price said Inundation was suffering heat-stress on one occasion and on the other heart arrythmia. 

Inundation has had three jump-outs in preparation for his return, winning his past two over 800m, but Price is concerned what may happen under race day pressure. 

"We have dynamic scoped him and he's not breathing as 100 per cent as well as he has in the past, so I don't know what impact that will have on race day until we try him," Price said. 

"His trials have been over a half-mile, and he's been held together. 

"He is a brilliant horse, but he's been making a noise because of his throat, so I would say there are a lot of betting options, apart from that race. 

"So, if you're a punter, do you have to bet on him, so I would say watch him go around, because that is what we have found with him." 

Price said Inundation may require tie-back surgery should the sprinter's throat continue to deteriorate. 

Inundation has been easy in early betting on Saturday's race. 

After opening favourite, Inundation has drifted from $2.80 out to $3.10 while the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Omni Man has firmed from $3.60 into $2.40 top pick.