Rain could upset a few trainers targeting black-type races at Ellerslie on Thursday, but John Bary is rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect.

The Hastings trainer has Survived in the Group One Zabeel Classic, Recite in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic and The Hombre in the Listed Newmarket Handicap, and he says all of them will handle dead or slow going.

"The rain won't worry us at all," he told NZ Newswire. "If it rained Christmas Day and on the morning of Boxing Day you won't see me crying at all."

Survived was rated the $3.50 favourite on by TAB bookies for the weight-for-age Zabeel Classic after a slightly unlucky fourth in the Captain Cook Stakes to Shuka at Trentham on December 7.

"He got buffeted around and knocked off stride in the straight. It cost us about a length, and he's only gone down by three-quarters of a length," Bary said.

"He'll be better suited to 2000 metres as well."

Survived, winner of the Group One Makfi Stakes in August, could be aimed at the Australian Cup at Flemington if all goes well.

He could be joined in Melbourne by Bary's classy filly Recite, rated the $6.50 third favourite for the Eight Carat Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies.

Recite was unbeaten at two, her victories including the Group One Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m). She didn't come up well in two spring starts but opened her summer campaign well, running second to the exciting Kawi while conceding 2.5kg.

"I think she'll bounce back better against her own sex, and let's face it, she's still a Group One-winning horse," he said.

A good run would see her aimed at the Group One Levin Classic (1600m) in late January, with the Australian Guineas a possible aim if she won that, Bary said.

The Hombre won the Newmarket Handicap last year and Bary said he was in good shape to attempt the double.

"He's well weighted and he's coming right at the right time."