(Andrew Bensley is Sky Sports Radio's chief racing commentator.)

The past week has displayed clearly to all in the racing industry the need for all-weather tracks to be introduced. Each of the eastern seaboard states battled against the elements of the weather and the grass tracks have been losing the battle.

Racing Victoria is already planning to lock in two more synthetic tracks around the state in the next two years following the success at Geelong but it seems some New South Wales officials are reluctant to head down that path.

The Hawkesbury Racing Club has been very positive about building an all weather track inside their grass surface in fact they've even got to the stage of drawing up maps. Darley trainer Peter Snowden told me on Sky Sports Radio that there is room for an all-weather track in New South Wales but it should only be used for the two or three months of winter.

With the winter that Sydney has suffered through and with the Spring Carnival on our doorstep surely it's time Racing NSW discussed all of the options for this time next year.

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Now to Saturday's J. J. Liston Stakes at Caulfield and there was a massive warning for his rivals from trainer John Wallace this week. Shoot Out stunned nearly everybody with his first-up win a fortnight ago but Wallace believes that Shoot Out has tightened up again for the Liston. Wallace has spent the week in Melbourne and was rapt with Shoot Out's work on Tuesday, running home the final 400-metres in just over 24 seconds on the viscoride track.

It's been an interesting week for another Liston Stakes runner, Predatory Pricer. Trainer Mick Price took the horse to the Geelong races on Wednesday in a bid to have him relaxed for his return to the track. Predatory Pricer hasn't raced since last year's Caulfield Cup because of injury and Price felt a trip to Geelong would take away any nervous energy.

Monaco Consul also will resume in the Liston Stakes. It's been a slightly different preparation also for the VRC Derby winner. Trainer Mike Moroney keeping Monaco Consul at the Sunshine Coast until a fortnight ago believing the warmer conditions of Queensland will prove a match winner this spring. Moroney also knows Monaco Consul's best form clearly is in Australia and not New Zealand.

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At Rosehill on Saturday, up and coming jockey Blake Spriggs takes the plum mount on Squamosa in the Run to the Rose. With Gai Waterhouse's number one jockey Nash Rawiller on the sidelines, Spriggs will jump aboard Squamosa who won his two starts as a juvenile. The big plus on Saturday will be the rain-affected track.

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In other racing news, last years New Zealand Derby winner, Coniston Bluebird is closing in on his first run in 16 months. Trainer Bede Murray said the horses injured leg seems to be fine and he's hoping Coniston Bluebird will return in the Tramway at Randwick on September 4. Also set to return from injury soon is La Rocket, winner of the St.George Stakes at Caulfield in February. Trainer Dale Sutton said La Rocket will probably go in a bit underdone when he tackles the Memsie Stakes on August 28.