Randwick track expected to remain soft for The Everest

Royal Randwick is expected to remain in the soft range for Saturday’s $20 million The Everest meeting despite receiving more than 77mm of rain during the week.

Randwick track manager Dave Anderson is confident the surface will handle the wet conditions, with the track continuing to drain well ahead of one of the biggest meetings on the Sydney racing calendar.

A total of 77.4mm of rain has fallen at Randwick this week, including 1.3mm on Wednesday and a further 9.3mm during Thursday morning showers.

Despite the significant rainfall, Anderson said the track had responded positively and was showing encouraging signs ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 program.

“The profile seems to be draining exceptionally well for this time,” Anderson said in an Australian Turf Club track update.

Randwick was rated a Soft 7 on Thursday, with Anderson expecting little change to the official rating before race day.

The forecast track conditions will be an important consideration for connections and punters ahead of The Everest, which headlines Saturday’s feature meeting.

With the surface continuing to absorb the recent rainfall, officials remain optimistic that Randwick will provide suitable racing conditions despite the wet lead-up.