Randwick is bracing for a weather-affected raceday with Australian Turf Club officials monitoring the conditions ahead of the Missile Stakes meeting.
After copping more than 155mm of rain across the week—equivalent to a full month’s average—the course proper was rated a heavy 9 as of Thursday.
Forecasts are showing additional rainfall heading into the weekend, prompting ATC assistant track manager Jake Carlaw to say the situation remains in the hands of the weather gods.
“The next couple of days, there’s about five mils forecast on Friday and about fifteen on Saturday, so it is quite a tricky forecast for the team,” Carlaw explained.
“Considering we had barrier trials today (Thursday) we will give the track a quick fill, hopefully mow the track this afternoon and just let Mother Nature take its course with this rain in the next few days.”
As part of preparations, the rail will return to the true position for the first time since early June, creating what Carlaw described as “a nice pad of grass” for Saturday’s card.
The worsening track is threatening to claim a major scalp from the Missile Stakes (1200m), with trainer Joe Pride suggesting he’s likely to withdraw Group 1 winner Private Eye unless conditions ease significantly.
Private Eye is scheduled to trial at Warwick Farm on Friday if scratched from the race, with Pride confirming a decision will be made that morning.
Trainer Gary Portelli has also declared Encap unlikely to run on such a deep surface and is instead eyeing a Rosehill trial next week for the Doncaster Mile placegetter.
However, Robusto will take his place in the Missile Stakes, with the Bjorn Baker-trained galloper bringing both strong form and race fitness into the contest.
The winner of The Ingham over summer, Robusto has been in action throughout the Brisbane winter carnival and returned to Sydney to finish second in the Winter Stakes (1400m) before taking out the Winter Challenge (1500m).
Baker believes cutting back in trip will not hinder his chances, particularly with the rain-affected surface expected to suit.
“Not with the track the way it is. It might be a big advantage,” Baker said.
“He’s running and he is rock-hard fit.”