As unlikely as it seemed at the start of the week, Saturday’s Villiers Stakes meeting at Warwick Farm could be run on a dry track.
“Luck has been on our side with fine and windy weather,” Warwick Farm track manager James Cataldo said.
“It’s been a great drying week.”
Cataldo posted a rating in the dead range on Thursday but with more fine weather forecast a further upgrade is possible.
“By some stage on Saturday we might be even pushing into the good range,” Cataldo said.
Cataldo’s prediction is welcome news for Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli who has New Day Rising down to run in the Villiers.
New Day Rising raced into Villiers calculations with a Rosehill win last week but Portelli was concerned a wet track would work against the five-year-old’s chances.
“I’m a much happier trainer now the track is starting to firm up,” Portelli said.
“He’s up in class on Rosehill but he’s on his home track and he’s got a good barrier (eight).
“There’ll be no excuses.”
New Day Rising, who is a winner over Saturday’s course when trained by Gai Waterhouse, occupies the sixth line of Villiers betting at $10.
