Trainer Phillip Stokes will be keeping a keen watch on the weather ahead of the meeting at Caulfield.

Stokes has Kermy engaged in the Take It To The Neds Level Handicap (1440m) on Saturday but does not want the track too wet for the in-form three-year-old.

Kermy has won two of his past three starts on the synthetic surface at Pakenham but is regarded a ‘duffer’ in the wet by his trainer.

However, the son of Kermadec does have a placing of a soft track at Cranbourne prior to his recent run of performances at Pakenham.

“He seems to like those firmer tracks so the only query I’ve got is if we get a deluge of rain,” Stokes said.

“Hopefully it stays away enough so he can take his place.

“I galloped him on the grass on Saturday and it was quite heavy and he didn’t like it at all, but on Tuesday, it was a better track, and he worked well.”

While Kermy is yet to win on a turf track, he does have placings behind so more than handy type.

He was narrowly defeated by Captain Spud over a similar journey as Saturday’s race at Sale with that galloper having recently made his way to Hong Kong.

On another occasion Kermy was placed behind Steinem who went on to run unlucky races in the Auraria Stakes and Australasian Oaks at Morphettville.

While there may be some give in the ground, Stokes said the rail placement, 12m out, will be ideal.

“I think with the rail out, him being an on-pacer, that should suit, but we’ll be guided by what the track is on Saturday and make a decision on that.

“He’s been in work a while, but he seems to be enjoying his work and stable life, so we’re happy with him.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au