Astute trainer David Payne needs to start Stradbroke hopeful Centennial Park at Randwick on Saturday, but is concerned about his charge's chances on a heavy track.Payne has the Group One Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12 in his sights, but the gelding is currently 31st in order of entry for Queensland's premier sprint race.However there are several horses above him that won't be running."He's got to have a run because if he gets in he's going to the Stradbroke," Payne said.Centennial P

Astute trainer David Payne needs to start Stradbroke hopeful Centennial Park at Randwick on Saturday, but is concerned about his charge's chances on a heavy track.

Payne has the Group One Stradbroke (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12 in his sights, but the gelding is currently 31st in order of entry for Queensland's premier sprint race.

However there are several horses above him that won't be running.

"He's got to have a run because if he gets in he's going to the Stradbroke," Payne said.

Centennial Park will line up in the Randwick's 150th Anniversary Handicap (1100m) against the likes of the Peter Snowden-trained Pinwheel and boom sprinter Hay List.

The four-year-old hasn't raced since the Group One Doncaster Mile, where he finished 15th in the race won by Rangirangdoo.

The Thorn Park gelding missed a scheduled barrier trial at Rosehill last Tuesday week when wet weather forced its cancellation.

Payne had then hoped to secure an exhibition gallop at the same track last Saturday, but that was unsuccessful because of the wet, so Saturday's 1100m Open Handicap at Randwick became the next option.

"He had a freshen-up after the Doncaster and he's come back and had a couple of good gallops," Payne said.

"He just needs another good hitout.

"I don't know how he'll handle a heavy nine, but we'll see."

Centennial Park has won two of his four starts on slow ground but his three starts on heavy tracks have only netted one placing.

He resumed in February in the Group Two Expressway Stakes on a heavy (9) at Rosehill and finished fourth of five to Rangirangdoo.

"He's got the class, the 1100 metres is a bit short for him but he is nice and fresh," Payne said.

The Randwick track, which has received 249mm of rain in the past 11 days but just 1mm in the past 24 hours, was upgraded from a heavy (9) to a heavy (8) on Friday.

Last-start winner Danza Doll finished strongly at Randwick but Payne is also unsure how the Dehere filly will handle the rain-affected track in the Flying Doe Handicap (1200m).

"I'm not sure how she'll handle it, but you've got to find out," he said.

"She's fit and well."

One of the Payne-trained runners who does revel in the wet is Madibagold who will take aim at the Squatters Purse Handicap (1400m).

The four-year-old gelding has two wins from three starts on slow tracks.

"He will run well," Payne said.