Trainer Chris Waller is hoping his autumn carnival success in Sydney can follow him north of the border for the Hollindale Stakes meeting at the Gold Coast on Saturday.Waller is confident of good performances from Metal Bender in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes and Stryker in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas.Metal Bender will be ridden by Hugh Bowman who takes over from the suspended Damien Oliver in the 1800-metre feature while Jim Cassidy will again partner Stryker in the Gold Coast Guineas

Trainer Chris Waller is hoping his autumn carnival success in Sydney can follow him north of the border for the Hollindale Stakes meeting at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Waller is confident of good performances from Metal Bender in the Group Two Hollindale Stakes and Stryker in the Group Three Gold Coast Guineas.

Metal Bender will be ridden by Hugh Bowman who takes over from the suspended Damien Oliver in the 1800-metre feature while Jim Cassidy will again partner Stryker in the Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).

A heavy downpour on Monday has ensured the Gold Coast track will be rain-affected and Waller's hopes for a track upgrade from a heavy eight to slow or better appear remote despite sunny skies prevailing.

"A wet track is not ideal for Metal Bender but it should dry out if we get two more sunny days," Waller said.

"I was at the track this morning and it was pretty wet but there's a lot of grass cover so it should dry out."

Course manager Steve Andrews opened the course proper for trackwork on Thursday and was surprised by how wet the track remained.

"We had about eight horses gallop on the course proper and it was pretty wet and they all got into it," Andrews said.

"If the fine weather continues I'll be very happy if we get back to slow."

Waller had the chance to equal Gai Waterhouse as the most successful trainer during the Sydney autumn carnival but fell short on the final day when Danleigh and Metal Bender failed in the Group One All-Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 24.

Waterhouse topped the Sydney Group One list with three wins while Waller captured two with the victories of Danleigh in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill and Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster at Randwick.

Metal Bender has started only twice for Waller after being transferred from the stables of the late Jack Denham.

The four-year-old beat just one runner home in his first start for Waller when sixth to Melito in the Group One TJ Smith (1200m) at Randwick on April 10 before his last-start ninth to Hot Danish in the All-Aged Stakes.

"He had a year off before I got him but I don't think his problem was too serious," Waller said.

"He needed his first two runs for me and he'll find the 1800 metres in the Hollindale a lot more suitable."

Waller, who has never had a Hollindale Stakes runner before, has nominated Metal Bender for the Group One Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 22 but is undecided if the gelding will start.

Stryker was a solid fourth in the Group One The Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick on April 17 but Waller believes the Fastnet Rock colt was looking for further ground.

"The Galaxy was a bit short for him and the 1200 metres (of the Guineas) will probably be the same," he said.

"He's a good horse and has been running in good races but ultimately I want to get him up to 1400 metres this preparation."

Stryker's only win in 11 starts was in the Listed Heritage Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill last September.