"He doesn't get into the Tarzino unless he runs one, two or three in the Foxbridge," Marsh said. "That's the only hope he's got.
"He's a bit behind the eight-ball as he hasn't trialled and the weather is against him. The problem is I don't think he'll handle a slow to heavy track. He can get away with it on a dead track.
"We're relying on his class alone and I've been hoping rain stays away for the weekend."
If War Affair doesn't earn a start in the Tarzino Trophy, he is unlikely to be seen in action on the local front until the summer carnival swings into action.
"Because of his rating, handicaps are out of the way for him. He'd be asked to carry a ridiculous weight," Marsh said.
"We've just got to look at weight-for-age races with him, but he's got to be able to get into them."
War Affair hasn't raced for 11 months, since finishing sixth in last year's S$200,000 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) at Kranji when trained by Marsh's father, Bruce.
Having raced in Singapore, a jurisdiction where group races are only afforded Listed status internationally, has made War Affair's prospects of qualifying for feature races more challenging.
He has had a six-month spell at Trelawney Stud since arriving from Singapore and the trainer said the horse thrived with the break.
"He's a cool horse and his work has been good. The riders say he feels great. We've just got to give him the chance to show it on raceday here," said Marsh.
NZ Racing Desk
