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Heavy conditions more than halved trainer Joseph Ible's home track assault on Saturday but the Kembla Grange trainer is confident Patrika Mist can still provide his stable with all the firepower it needs.
Patrika Mist has been racing well this preparation but a win has eluded her as she prepares to tackle the Happy New Year Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m).
The grey daughter of Smart Missile ran an excellent second at Gosford two starts ago before she was involved in a horror watch at Wyong after failing to find clear air.
Joseph Ible is hopeful luck will be on her side this time around on a heavy Kembla surface.
"We will give her a chance on the heavy," Ible said.
"She had absolutely no luck last weekend and never saw daylight the whole race but I think she is going really well.
"Her run at Gosford was excellent but it was a total forgive run the other day when she had absolutely no chance.
"She can definitely figure in this race."
Louise Day will be back aboard Patrika Mist ($4.80), which had been set to line up alongside stablemate The Carpet Bagger until consistent rain across the day on Friday so Ible pull the pin.
"The heavy track is not his specialty so he will stay home," Ible said.
"There was more rain than expected. We were only predicted to have shower but we had consistent rain all day on Friday."
Patrika Mist will now only take on seven rivals with fellow Kembla trainer Theresa Bateup said to launch a two-pronged attack with Hope Uno and Foxtrot Bravo while Kerry Parker has Justela.
The Illawarra Turf Club will have a special guest on course with former jockey Peter Ryan set to attend the meeting more than sixty years after riding at Kembla Grange.
Ryan, now based in New Zealand, was one of six apprentices to ride in a race at Kembla on September 2, 1958 and successfully lodged the first success protest at the track.
The club have honoured Ryan's attendance by naming the first race after the hoop.
"The club is looking forward to having Peter and his family on course. The family is extremely excited and we feel privileged to have a jockey that is a part of Kembla Grange history with us on Saturday," Illawarra Turf Club CEO Steve Keene said.
Kembla's seven event card kicks off at 2pm.
