More rain for Randwick leading up to Doncaster Day

The prospect of more rain in Sydney leading up to the weekend has Randwick track manager Nevesh Ramdhani struggling to predict what track rating he will be posting for Doncaster Day on Saturday.

pierro

A wet track on Saturday won't worry Pierro after winning the Hobartville on a heavy track. Photo by Steve Hart.

Randwick is currently rated a slow 6 and if the forecast showers arrive punters will be looking for proven wet trackers in the Group 1 $2m BMW Doncaster Mile (1600m) and the Group 1 $550,000 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).

“The forecast is for possible showers all the way,” Ramdhani said.

“To be honest I don’t know what to expect – anything could happen.”

“Knowing Sydney weather and what it can do at this time of the year I have no idea what we will be presenting to race on this Saturday.

“Anything could happen with the weather.”

Ramdhani was faced with the same dilemma last week leading up to Black Caviar’s appearance but was blessed when the weather cleared at the end of the week and the track improved form a heavy 8 on Monday to a dead 5 on race morning and was further updated during the day to a dead 4 for the final half of the program.

A rain affected track would severely hamper many horses chances in the Doncaster Mile but race favourite Pierro will be okay after winning the Group 2 $200,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on March 2 on a heavy track.

Super colt Pierro will get the run of the race from barrier four and a win on Saturday will keep his unbeaten Sydney record intact and give trainer Gai Waterhouse her eighth Doncaster victory, overtaking her legendary father Tommy Smith who held the record of seven winners of the famous Randwick Mile.

Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, who will saddle up four runners, will be divided if the track in heavily rain affected.

Topweight and last year’s runner-up Shoot Out, veteran Danleigh and former New Zealand three year old Sacred Falls have won on the slow but are winless on the heavy.

While Red Tracer is regarded as one of Sydney’s best wet trackers with five wins from five starts on the heavy and a win and a second at two attempts on the slow with her only defeat on the slow being last start when second to Appearance in the Group 1 $400,000 Inglis Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on April 6.

The Guy Walter trained Appearance is another who excels on wet ground and as well as her Queen Of The Turf victory, the Commands mare has two wins and a second from three goes on the heavy.

Pierro heads the Doncaster markets at $2.20 with Norzita, a two times winner on a slow track next in the betting at $8.50.

With the prospect of a wet track, Appearance has firmed into $12 with the topweight Shoot Out staying steady at $14 with multiple Group 1 winner Streama, who has winning form all surfaces at $16.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.