Paprika decision as late as possible

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Liam Birchley will leave it as late as possible to decide whether Paprika lines up on a saturated Doomben on Saturday.

A Damian Browne mount, Paprika will carry topweight of 59 kilograms in the $100,000 Listed Channel Seven Nudgee Handicap (1200m) if Birchley gives the five-year-old the green light to start.

Doomben is waterlogged and rated a heavy 10 after receiving around 300 millimetres of rain which drenched the track this week.

Stewards made a track inspection on Friday afternoon and galloped two horses before giving the meeting a tentative go ahead.

However, the meeting remains at serious risk if more rain falls.

A final decision will be made after stewards make a further track inspection at 6.30 (AEST) on Saturday.

Birchley is reluctant to start Paprika with her big weight in the heavy conditions despite her success on a heavy nine in the Bat Out of Hell (900m) at the Gold Coast in January, 2011.

Paprika marred her Bat Out Of Hell victory when she dumped her rider Paul Hammersley and crashed through a guard rail following the race.

The daughter of General Nediym suffered serious injuries including deep cuts to her stifle and flank.

Paprika did not race for a year following the accident and made her return with a game fourth to Schiffer in the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.

"She had 12 months off to get over all her problems but she's a carnival horse and could have raced a lot earlier," Birchley said.

"I could have sent her to Melbourne to run in the spring but there wasn't any suitable races for her."

Birchley had Paprika primed for a strong first-up showing in the Magic Millions Sprint but blamed the track for her defeat.

"She had no chance the way the track raced," Birchley said.

"It suited only five per cent of the horses that day. The track was hard as a rock."

Birchley is pleased with Paprika's progress since the Magic Millions meeting but Brisbane's big wet could force her interstate.

"She's coming along well but I'll see what happens with this rain. If it lasts much longer we may have to go south," he said.

"I'll have a look at what options are available for her in Sydney and Melbourne."

© Australian Associated Press Pty Limited (AAP) 2012

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