Alex Rae’s promising four-year-old Chief Altony is "ready to rumble" if he is to gain a start at Caulfield on Saturday.
After bursting onto the scene with a Flemington triumph on Cochada on Oaks Day in 2018, the rising 26-year-old has mainly made ends meet picking off wins on the provincial circuit, but a recent run of form has the Cranbourne-based trainer setting his horses for the big city meetings.
Chief Altony is currently the fifth emergency for Saturday’s Neds Price Boost Handicap with the young horseman in a tricky situation if the gelding doesn’t run.
“I’m just really hoping he gets a run, which at this stage looks unlikely,” Rae said on SEN Track’s Bensley.
“It puts us in a real tricky position.
“Just a few things playing on my mind but look everything will work out for the best and he is ready to rumble wherever he goes.
“It’s a nice race at Caulfield and he’s drawn a nice barrier… every time I look at him he’s just bigger and stronger.”
The galloper was expected to make light work of his rivals at Flemington last start, sent around the $1.90 hot favourite until a disaster run meant the gelding faded to finish fourth.
“We all know he was desperately unlucky at Flemington and on soft track he goes to another level,” he added.
Damien Oliver will ride the son of Rebel Raider if he is to run on Saturday.
