With heavy rain looming in Sydney, John O’Shea and Tom Charlton are set to reroute two mares to Brisbane where conditions are expected to be far more suitable.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast up to 60 millimetres of rain before the weekend, and neither Junqueira nor Countyourblessings performs at their best on soft or heavy going, making Saturday’s Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Randwick an unlikely target.

Both mares also hold entries for the Listed Just Now Quality (1300m) at Eagle Farm, which now appears the clear preference.

“Just as a result of the weather, I think they will go to Brisbane,” O’Shea said after acceptances were published.

Junqueira has endured a stop–start preparation, scratched multiple times from wide barriers, and she hasn’t enjoyed much luck in her limited outings this spring.

She draws the rail at Eagle Farm, and O’Shea believes her best is good enough.

“The other day she was about to run well and got galloped on,” he said.

“We were optimistic about her at Newcastle, and it didn’t go our way. She is one that can bounce back and it wouldn’t surprise us.”

Countyourblessings also maps well from barrier three and resumes in the mares-only feature.

“She is in great form. She has trialled up really well,” O’Shea said.

“We’re trying to jag some black type for her ownership group, and we’ll see if we can do it on Saturday.”

The Eagle Farm program includes three stakes races, with the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m) a key drawcard. Its winner gains a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

If you’re planning a wager, compare Australia’s leading betting sites at JustHorseRacing’s bookmaker guide.