Moonee Valley's bold decision to have two Group 1 meetings within 24 hours may end badly for the club, with Saturday's Cox Plate facing the prospect of being run on an inferior track.
As rain fell in the lead-up to Friday night's Manikato Stakes meeting, concerns grew that Saturday's flagship event would be affected as it will be the 17th race run over the two days.
The club have chosen not to move the moveable rail after Friday's Group 1 meeting, so it will remain in the same position for Saturday's 10-race card.
In 2011, Moonee Valley split the two meetings, moving the Manikato Stakes and seven races to the night before the Cox Plate. This move was always considered risky if wet weather hit on Cox Plate eve.
It will be a wintry Cox Plate day on Saturday, with a strong cold front settling over Melbourne.
"The weekend is looking really cold," Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said. "It's a real return to winter."
The Weather Bureau is forecasting the equal-coldest Cox Plate day on record, with a maximum of only 13 degrees for Saturday. Local hail and thunder is possible, and snow above 900 metres.
