THE Dunkeld track has been downgraded to a heavy eight after more than 50 millimetres of rain within 36 hours.
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But club manager Karen Van Kempen said all was in readiness for the popular race meeting on Saturday.
“Everything was perfect on Wednesday morning and then it poured rain,” she said.
“The worst of the weather is behind us. Punters should look for wet trackers. The track has been rated a heavy eight but we’re hoping it will improve by the first race.”
One trainer who is happy with the track condition is Warrnambool hobby trainer Geoff Withers. The Brauer College teacher saddles up Unrealistic and revealed the five-year-old was an unlikely runner in the $30,000 Dunkeld Cup before the rain.
“I was not going to run Unrealistic if we got a good three,” Withers said.
“The track should be ideal for him. He’s likes to get his toe into the track. He’s only a pony but puts in 100 per cent. It was a good effort by him to run second in the Mortlake Cup last time.
“He’s only had the eight runs for us and been honest at each start.
“Unrealistic is eligible for easier-class races but he would have to carry big weights which would not suit him.”
Withers, whose taught at Brauer College for 23 years, said the race’s speed would suit Unrealistic.
“He can race forward or just off the pace I think I will ask our jockey Georgina Cartwright to have him travelling off the pace. She understands the horse very well,” she said.
The first race is scheduled to start at 1.16pm while the cup is set down for 4.16pm.
