But they have also called on the Illawarra Turf Club to progress plans for upgrades to both the B grass and the course proper.

The trainers have been waiting years for the capital works to commence, improvements to the turf originally scheduled to start upon completion of the Polytrack in October 2019.

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Trainers are grateful to have access to the artificial track throughout wet weather but Theresa Bateup said the rain highlights the importance of completing the planned upgrades.

"It's a godsend we've got that Polytrack," Bateup said. "If we didn't have that Polytrack, we may as well throw them in the paddock. It's fantastic, it means you can still work them and get fast work under their belts.

"It's a pity they didn't do the drainage work during the two-month break in racing earlier this year. Even work on the B grass should've been done two years ago, but we're still waiting on it."

The major capital works have been delayed multiple times, with coronavirus putting a shuddering halt to plans 12 months ago.

Once complete, both the course proper and B grass will be suitable for racing, while improved drainage will reduce the likelihood of abandonments due to rain.

ITC chief executive Peter De Vries said the club is progressing plans as quickly as possible, however a lengthy process remains before work can begin. The upgrades will not commence before spring.

"We're getting closer to getting tenders out," De Vries said. "In terms of having the work commence, it becomes a matter of what's the best time of year to do it for grass growing periods.

"It certainly will still happen, things slowed down a bit with COVID, it's taken a while to get moving again."

One trainer who could have been significantly affected by this week's rain is Kerry Parker.

With Think It Over on a path to the Doncaster Mile, those plans would have been thrown into disarray had the Polytrack not been available.

The postponement of the Golden Slipper meeting has seen Parker enter the five-year-old in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes.

The race will mark a step up in grade, Think It Over to line up alongside the likes of Kolding and Avilius.

"He'll go around on Saturday as long as it's not a heavy 10," Parker said. "He's racing well, but he does meet these horses at level weights through weight-for-age, rather than a handicap.

"The last time he met these horses they were a grade above, for my bloke he's in the deep end this weekend. He's a better horse now, he'll turn up and hold his own."