Heat forces program change for I’m Belucci

Brisbane’s hot summer has caused a change of plans for Group One placegetter I’m Belucci.

Trainer Desleigh Forster brought I’m Belucci back from his spring spell with the idea of a light summer campaign.

“He has been placed in Group One company twice (Spring Champion Stakes and Queensland Derby) but funnily he is still a Class One horse,” Forster said.

“I was looking at winning a couple of races with him. He would have been very well placed in a Class Three Plate and that was where we planned to start him first.”

However, Forster said the weather had forced her to scrap those plans.

“I’m Belucci really feels the heat and I don’t want to risk him,” she said.

“He can have a light preparation and then go back out and wait for the winter.”

A race such as the Group One Doomben Cup in May could be on I’m Belucci’s schedule.

Meanwhile, Forster’s other two top class four-year-olds Too Good To Refuse and Cylinder Beach have arrived back in the stable after a month’s break.

They are being prepared for a trip to Sydney in the autumn with the Group One Doncaster Mile and Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes possible targets.

“They did a great job in the summer each winning a stakes race and picking up plenty of prize money as well as getting a boost in their ratings,” Forster said.

“The pair have had a nice break and have come back looking good. At this stage we will head to Sydney late in February with their first runs there probably around March 4.”