They have raced at Dalby in Queensland, Epsom in England, South Australia's Balaklava and the famous French course Longchamp.

In fact, Chris Waller's seven Hawkesbury Gold Cup runners have competed at more than 50 different tracks between them.

But just one has been to Hawkesbury - once.

Of the trainer's runners in Saturday's Hawkesbury Gold Cup, Strawberry Boy is the only horse to have raced at the track, posting a Listed win there last spring.

However, his experience around the circuit looks likely to count for much less than the wet track prowess of some of his stablemates.

Hawkesbury was still in the soft range on Thursday but track manager Jeff Haynes admitted the forecast was bleak and if the predicted rain did fall, the surface would be heavy come race day.

"There is 20 to 40 mils predicted tomorrow (Friday) and 20 to 40 mils predicted on Saturday. That's the worry," Haynes said.

If the track does deteriorate, Waller has flagged scratching Strawberry Boy and German horse Flamingo Star.

But he won't hesitate to run last-start winner Rugged Cross who is unbeaten in two starts on heavy ground.

All of Waller's Cup acceptors began their careers with different trainers, either overseas or interstate, with Rugged Cross doing his early racing in England.

His best Australian form has been around 1400m but he has been placed over longer and Waller is confident Rugged Cross will have no issue with the 1600 metres of the Hawkesbury feature.

"He's won on a heavy nine over 1500 (metres) at Rosehill so I don't think it will be a concern," he said.

"His wet track form is superior to most, he's in winning form, he's got his winning jockey on from last start and he's well weighted on the limit. He ticks a lot of boxes."

Stablemate Danchai is one of only two other runners in the field with a heavy-track win, the other being the Mike Moroney-trained Surpass.

Danchai's victory was in an English maiden, which he won by nine lengths, but his overall Australian form has been patchy.

He didn't fire in the spring on mainly firm tracks but did score a recent barrier trial win.

"He's one that could improve on a wet track and hopefully be in for a return to form over the winter, although he'll appreciate a bit further," Waller said.

Laser Hawk and Diademe are early scratchings from the Cup with first and second emergencies Lucky Lago and Evangelist gaining starts.