KEY POINTS:
The constant clouds of winter could have a silver lining for punters - the prospect of a huge Pick6 jackpot.
While most of us are sick of the rain, TAB bean counters are adamant it has helped boost harness racing turnovers in recent weeks.
And with the wet tracks making punting just that little bit harder a $250,000 Pick6 jackpot looms at Addington tomorrow night.
That continues what is something of an annual golden period for harness racing turnovers, with no Friday night rugby after the end of the Super 14 and winter weather meaning many people stay home, increasing the numbers watching Trackside and betting.
"The turnover at Addington last Friday night was up around 15 to 20 per cent on recent meetings," said TAB spokesman Michael Dore.
"It was helped by the fact there was no clashing meeting at Alexandra Park but also not having to compete against the rugby.
"And then there is the weather. If it is raining around the whole country then people are more likely to stay home and maybe have a bet.
"But we are like everybody else, we don't want it to rain all the time. From the turnover point of view it is handy though when, say, it is fine at Alexandra Park but raining down south so people stay home and bet at the meeting where it is fine.
"That way we get the best off-course turnover while the clubs still get people wanting to go to the races."
Dore said the jackpot from last Friday's Addington meeting means tomorrow night's pool could go as high as $275,000.
"I think the $250,000 guarantee is actually a bit soft but ideally we would love to see it not struck.
"If it isn't struck this week then punters would definitely be looking at $500,000 the following Friday."
The TAB likes to encourage mid-winter punting by delving into its Pick6 reserve fund to guarantee bigger pools and Dore says that is still possible.
"The Pick6 reserve fund is looking pretty healthy but to really get the ball rolling you need Pick6 not to be struck, like last week.
"But we would love nothing more than to end the season with a few big jackpots because they raise total interest in the meeting."
* Kiwi wonder filly One Dream faces a huge task in Saturday night's A$75,000 ($82,000) Queensland Oaks.
The superstar will start from barrier six in the 2138m event, her first start in Australia since winning last season's Breeders Crown.
With a strong local crop headed by Fleur De Lil and Dance Of Life, One Dream will not dominate betting quite as much as she does at home.
Exciting Southern trotter Springbank Richard also faces a tough draw when he makes his Australian debut on Saturday.
He will start from the unruly in a strong heat of the Victoria Trotters Derby at Cranbourne.
