Southern District chief steward John Davidson inspected the Gundagai track on Friday morning and was pleasantly surprised by the improvement it has shown over the last few days.

While the track is rated a heavy 10, the Gundagai meeting is still right to go ahead – pending the weather over the weekend.

“Gundagai has surprisingly improved, and improved to the stage where we would race there at the minute,” Davidson said.

“Unfortunately most of the websites say we are going to get 10 to 20 millimetres in the next 24 hours.

“It was heavy there this (Friday) morning and if there is any rain then we’re buggered.

“We’re right on the cusp at the moment.”

The Gundagai club recently carried out drainage works, off their own bat, for a section of the track between the 700 metres and 300 metres that has traditionally been the problem area.

Davidson said the works were certainly worthwhile.

“If the club hadn’t of done the drainage, the meeting would have been called off two days ago,” he said.

“Between the 700 and the 300 was always the wettest part of the track, that’s the area they drained and not it’s the driest part.

“They’ve done a great job.”

Davidson will inspect the track again at 7am on Sunday morning to let trainers, owners and jockeys know as early as possible whether the meeting is going ahead.

“We don’t want any rain,” he said.

Gundagai’s seven race TAB card has attracted full fields, or close to, in each event.

The McAlsiter, Saunderson, Stubbs Class Three Handicap (1000m) is arguably the most appealing race of the day.

The promising David Vandyke-trained Shamfrancisco will take on Pat Widdup’s pair Lady Henrietta and Little Roller, along with dominant maiden winner Desert Destiny.

Meantime, several Southern District trainers will head to the Forbes Cup meeting on Monday.

Zero To Ten, Steakandbearnaise, Tea Clipper and Casual Zariz will all contest the $25,000 Forbes Cup (1600m).

A number of Southern District horses will run in supporting races.