One of the most highly-anticipated races in the Southern District in recent memory is in the lap of the gods.
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Thursday's Wagga Town Plate has attracted a mouthwatering clash between the North East and Riverina's three best credentialled gallopers in Lord Von Costa, News Girl and Ashlor.
However, bragging rights to who is the slickest sprinter of the star trio hinge on the state of the track.
With the forecast of anywhere between 35 to 70mm of rain over the coming days the chances of a rain affected track is at Winx-like odds.
Donna Scott (Lord Von Costa) and Geoff Duryea (News Girl) both on Tuesday ruled out starting their stable stars if the track gets into the heavy range.
Lord Von Costa has been off the scene since a successful comeback from a second career threatening tendon injury with a victory at Flemington in December.
The son of Von Costa De Hero has also won in listed grade at Flemington alongside several city placings to his credit.
"Unfortunately the weather is going decide if we start or not," Scott said.
"If the track gets to a heavy 8 or worse we won't be running.
"Being first-up and having a history of tendon injuries it's not ideal to being going around on a bog track.
"If he was third-up into his preparation I might of considered it.
"It will be a shame if the rain forces us to scratch.
"There would have been a huge amount of interest with News Girl in the race who has stamped herself as the most promising up and coming horse in the area.
"You are always going to get quality opposition when you are racing for $160,000."
Duryea echoed Scott's thoughts and ruled out starting News Girl if the track was a heavy 8 or worse.
The former jockey was highly anticipating starting News Girl in the $160,000 feature which has proved to be a hoodoo for him for several decades.
"My mare won't be running on a heavy track," Duryea said.
"I hope the rain stays away to at least the weekend but the forecast doesn't look promising.
"I was looking forward to the race immensely.
"As a jockey I think I won every race at least once between Carathool and Kilmore except for the Wagga Town Plate and the Berrigan Cup.
"Now since I've been training I have run second in the Wagga Town Plate on three occasions and the same with the Berrigan Cup."
Duryea felt he was a huge chance to break the long-standing hoodoo.
"She should prove hard to beat if it's not a bog track," he said.
"She is a speedy mare who's biggest asset is her ability to run quick sectionals.
