Basilinna drawn to Australian Cup by incoming rain forecast

Prospective showers set to arrive at Flemington prior to the Australian Cup event are delightful tidings for trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne.

Up to 20mm of rain is expected Thursday, followed by up to 9mm Friday and 1mm to 6mm Saturday.

The Browns were swayed by that prediction to commit Basilinna to the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday over the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) sharing the undercard.

The pair harbours designs on the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington this November with the mare, building her campaign around the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) there in May.

The mare claimed victory in the Andrew Ramsden 12 months ago, gaining a Melbourne Cup ballot waiver that's up for grabs once more, though a bone fragment derailed her after a single autumn appearance.

Saturday's Roy Higgins victor likewise earns that exemption.

According to Emma-Lee Browne, the weather prognosis tipped the scales toward the Australian Cup even with Basilinna's lone start beforehand ending in defeat to Birdman in Caulfield's Peter Young Stakes (1800m) March 14.

"I've been praying for rain and that is why we decided to accept for the Australian Cup," Browne said.

"We felt the Roy Higgins was a bit far second-up.

"I thought she was really good the other day and she just blew out in the last little bit, so the 2000 (metres) suits better, but it just so happens that it's quite a strong Group 1.

"With the rain that's coming, it probably gets her a bit closer and slows a few of the fancied ones down."

The trainer plans to mirror the previous season's schedule en route to the Andrew Ramsden, incorporating an Adelaide excursion.

That said, a standout showing in the Australian Cup could redirect them northward to Sydney.

"The Andrew Ramsden is the one we have a circle around and hopefully by then there will be some give in the ground," Browne said.

"We know she likes it and I've been monitoring the forecasts and I'm praying for rain.

"She had a tiny chip that was removed last year and she's come back great. It was incredibly bad timing.

"She was a bit heavy going into her first run, but we were really happy with her, and before that she possibly over-trialled.

"She's never trialled that good before and I think she might have got a little over-excited.

"Her work has been good since and hopefully she runs well on Saturday."

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