A winning start to 2017 for Nick Bishara will help to ease the disappointing news he received from Australia toward the end of last year.

Pukekohe apprentice Rowena Smyth signed off the season with a double at Te Awamutu last Sunday, but isn’t able to fulfil all her Australian plans.

It’s shaping as a tricky day up at Doomben, and a lot of it hinges on how the track is going to play.

This meeting at Doomben on Saturday will be affected by rain for sure. It was wet in Brisbane on Wednesday and more rain has fallen since.

5 State Plays