Rain sways Basillina to TAB Australian Cup

Up to 15mm of rain fell on Flemington on Thursday, up to another 9mm is forecast for Friday, with between 1mm and 6mm predicted for Saturday.

It was that forecast that persuaded the Browne's to take on the Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday with Basilinna, rather than the Listed Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) on the same program.

The Browne's have ambitions of contesting this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November with Basilinna and are gearing the mare towards the Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington in May.

Basilinna won the race last year earning a ballot exemption for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, which is on offer again, but a bone chip halted the mare's preparation after one run in the spring.

A ballot exemption is also on offer for the winner of Saturday's Lexus Roy Higgins.

Emma-Lee Browne said the forecast rain had influenced their decision to tackle the TAB Australian Cup after Basilinna had only one run under the belt, finishing last behind Birdman in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on 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."

Browne said a similar program for Basilinna in the lead-up to the Lexus Andrew Ramsden would be followed to 12 months ago, which included a trip to Adelaide.

But she said if Basilinna happened to perform exceptionally well in the TAB Australian Cup, then the stable may look 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 watching 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."