Joe Pride is unfazed by the expected testing conditions at Randwick, with all four of his Saturday runners proven on rain-affected tracks. The course proper was rated a heavy 9 on Thursday, and although some improvement is possible, the surface is expected to remain in the heavy range for race day.

“We’ll be ready for racing, albeit in the heavy range,” said ATC assistant track manager Jake Carlaw.

That forecast is good news for Pride, who has multiple heavy-track specialists lining up, including Cool Jakey, who tops his team. The five-year-old has won four of his seven starts on heavy going and comes off a strong victory over 1400m at Hawkesbury.

“He loves a wet track. The mile is the test,” Pride said of Cool Jakey’s assignment in the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m). “We will see if he can run a mile on Saturday. He raced last start like he would run it and he’s an absolute swimmer.”

Storm The Ramparts also has solid wet-track credentials, having recorded a win and two placings from three heavy-track runs. While he hasn’t saluted in over a year, Pride remains confident.

“He will be hard to beat. He makes his own luck, gets up on speed,” he said. “He doesn’t win very often but he rarely misses a place.”

Testator Silens and Excelladus round out Pride’s Sydney team. Testator Silens contests the Taylor Construction Handicap (1000m), while Excelladus lines up in the Magnolia Lane Financial Services Handicap (1400m). Both horses boast victories on heavy tracks, although they will need to overcome significant weights.

For the latest odds on Cool Jakey and other wet-track runners, visit Australia’s top betting sites.