Predicted rain to soften Doomben

Officials hope predicted rain will take the fire out of the Doomben track for the Melbourne Cup day meeting.

On Saturday, Doomben started out a good four but after the first race was upgraded and again after the third race to firm.

The rating was reflected in race times with four class records and a course record run during the day.

Several horses were late scratchings because of the hard track including three-year-old race favourite Miss Exfactor.

“She needs the sting out of the track and I don’t want to risk her,” trainer Tony Gollan told stewards.

Doomben is set to host three meetings in seven days and staff could not risk the surface by heavy watering late last week.

The track will be watered in the next two days and rain is predicted for Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday when a large crowd is expected at the Brisbane course.