Expected downpours approaching Flemington before the Australian Cup fixture spell joy for Emma-Lee and David Browne.
Projections call for up to 20mm Thursday, as much as 9mm Friday, and between 1mm and 6mm Saturday.
Those predictions led the Brownes to select the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday for Basilinna, bypassing the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) on the bill.
They envision Basilinna in November’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, with preparations centred on May’s Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at the track.
Last year Basilinna captured the Andrew Ramsden, netting a Melbourne Cup exemption on offer anew, yet a bone chip curtailed her after one spring effort.
A Roy Higgins success Saturday also carries the exemption.
Emma-Lee Browne revealed the rain outlook shaped their Australian Cup pursuit post Basilinna’s single prep run, a last-place effort to Birdman in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield March 14.
“I’ve been praying for rain and that is why we decided to accept for the Australian Cup,” Browne said.
“We felt the Roy Higgins was a bit far second-up.
“I thought she was really good the other day and she just blew out in the last little bit, so the 2000 (metres) suits better, but it just so happens that it’s quite a strong Group 1.
“With the rain that’s coming, it probably gets her a bit closer and slows a few of the fancied ones down.”
For the Andrew Ramsden build-up, Browne intends to follow the prior year’s blueprint for Basilinna, including Adelaide travel.
Nevertheless, exceptional Australian Cup form might pivot plans to Sydney.
“The Andrew Ramsden is the one we have a circle around and hopefully by then there will be some give in the ground,” Browne said.
“We know she likes it and I’ve been watching the forecasts and I’m praying for rain.
“She had a tiny chip that was removed last year and she’s come back great. It was incredibly bad timing.
“She was a bit heavy going into her first run, but we were really happy with her, and before that she possibly over-trialled.
“She’s never trialled that good before and I think she might have got a little over-excited.
“Her work has been good since and hopefully she runs well on Saturday.”
Discover competitive betting markets for the race ahead of the Australian Cup at trusted betting sites.
