Racing: Weather huge factor in Brisbane Cup

By MIKE DILLON

BRISBANE - Matamata trainer Roger James stood in the rain in the birdcage at Eagle Farm races on Saturday and smiled.

He was watching top jockey Chris Munce receive the trophy for winning the $A1 million Stradbroke Handicap aboard Landsighting.

James has no connection with Landsighting and a smile could have been difficult to achieve when you consider 40 minutes earlier James and Munce had combined for bitter disappointment when Kiwi filly Giovana finished unplaced as favourite in the Queensland Derby.

But as always in racing, tomorrow is more important than yesterday and James was already thinking ahead to today's $A500,000 Brisbane Cup, in which he will leg Munce into the saddle aboard Cronus.

Cronus is widely considered to be racing out of form, but James has been quietly confident for some time that the 3200m of the Brisbane Cup will see a major turnaround.

That confidence multiplied when his motel room phone rang early last week.

"Chris chased me for the ride on Cronus, so at least he doesn't think he's out of form."

Munce is Australia's master staying jockey and combined with the heavy rain in Brisbane, is a major factor in Cronus' favour.

"I couldn't be happier with the horse," said James.

"He looks fantastic, the distance will suit and the more rain that falls the better."

Unlike a few of the major chances, Cronus has already shown he can race successfully at 3200m.

In a wide open betting race he was yesterday quoted at 20-1 with bookmakers.

There is a wide list of chances and the track condition will play a major part.

Although rain fell throughout Saturday's Eagle Farm programme, the track remained in remarkable condition, underscored by the almost unbelievable 1:21.4, 1400m time of the Stradbroke Handicap.

But unless the rain eased overnight, which it was not predicted to do, a track at least bordering on heavy appears likely.

James' rates Bart Cummings' mare Lady Solvil as the one to beat, but she is questionable on a wet track.

"If she gets any sort of footing at all, she will be hard to beat. I've been watching her at the track each morning and she looks ready for a huge race," said James.

O'Shea Stakes winner Ken's Joy loves the wet and goes into the race with a strong chance while remarkable veteran Sharscay is another who will love the conditions.

The Cup favourite Bohemiath is a firm tracker and will drift dramatically in betting if the weather does not clear.