Sydney racing officials on edge despite improving forecast

Sydney can expect some respite from what weather forecasters have described as “a month of rain in two days” heading into the first Group 1 race of the Australian season on Saturday.

But Racing NSW stewards and Australian Turf Club officials will still have a nervous wait if the prediction for the Winx Stakes meeting at Randwick is correct.

By 9am on Thursday, Randwick had received 160mm of rain with 76mm in the previous 24 hours.

Up until 4pm on Thursday, another 15mm was recorded.

“The rain is forecast to continue for the next 24 hours. Our forecaster is saying it could clear up by mid-morning on Friday,” the ATC’s general manager of racecourses Michael Wood said during a Thursday morning update.

“There is a slight chance for some lighter showers there on Saturday but certainly nothing as significant as we’ve had in the past week.”

All 12 acceptors for the Winx Stakes stood their ground on Thursday with Via Sistina firming at the top of betting as a $2.30 chance.

Trainer Chris Waller says he has no qualms about running Via Sistina on a heavy track but admits will be concerned if it rains on raceday.

The ATC was forced to call off the Group 2 Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick on August 9 because of wet weather.