Doomben predicted to go ahead

Stewards will inspect a rain-soaked Doomben racecourse late on race eve but the Group Three George Moore Stakes meeting is in no danger.

The Ipswich meeting on Friday was abandoned after the track was soaked by 80mm of rain in the past three days.

Doomben course manager Jim Roberts said the track had received 65mm, mostly in a huge storm on Wednesday.

He said the Doomben track was rated a heavy eight on Friday morning.

“The track can come back quickly and a soft surface on Saturday is not out of the realms. But the weather will obviously play a part,” Roberts said.

Chief steward Allan Reardon said there was no danger to the meeting unless heavy rain returned.

“We will inspect the track late on Friday but we expect to be going ahead on Saturday,” he said.

Showers are expected for Brisbane on Friday and Saturday with up to 10mm predicted.

The $200,000 George Moore has already been hit by scratchings with drawcards Big Money, Egyptian Symbol, Palazzo Pubblico, and Perfect Dare already out reducing the field to 10.