Welcome rain has fallen at Flemington ahead of a Group One double header.

With warm weather early in the week in the lead-up to the Flemington meeting on Saturday, the track had 21mm of water applied up till Thursday morning.

With rain on Thursday and the possibility of more on Friday and Saturday the track should have some give in it by race time.

Melbourne has a forecast high of 29 degrees on Friday with a 50 per cent chance of rain and a top temperature of 25 for Saturday, again with a 50 per cent chance of rain.

There has been little change to the markets ahead of the Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap on Saturday.

Bow Creek has firmed to $2.90 following the scratching of Mourinho and is a clear top pick ahead of Our Ivanhowe ($5.50) and Preferment ($6) in the Australian Cup.

Chautauqua hasn’t budged from $2.40 since the barrier draw on Wednesday with second elect Japonisme firming from $4.40 to $4.20.

The Ararat meeting on Friday has been transferred to Donald after 16mm on Thursday led to surface water on the track with more rain predicted.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au