Heavy rainfall at Doomben ahead of meeting

There are smiles all around at Doomben morning with the track soaked overnight in a storm.

The Brisbane Racing Club had been forced to buy water for Doomben after its dams ran dry two weeks ago.

Wednesday night’s storm dumped 59mm of water on the course which has filled the dams.

Doomben course manager Jim Roberts said the rain had been more than welcome and hopefully there was more to come.

“There was a bit of damage with some fencing and rails being down but that is easily fixed,” Roberts said.

“As everyone is aware we have been desperate for rain. The actual racetrack has stood up very well to recent racing and this will help even more.

“We actually put some irrigation on it Wednesday night before the storm so it really looks in great order this morning.”

Roberts said Doomben was rated heavy on Thursday morning but would come back into the soft range as the day wore on.

Eagle Farm which is across the road from Doomben was rated good on Thursday.

Doomben will host stakes races on Friday and the first events in the State Of Origin Jockeys series which continues at Eagle Farm on Saturday.