(Andrew Bensley is a senior commentator with Sky Sports Radio and Sky Racing.)

With the Brisbane Winter Carnival looming large and, hopefully for the Queenslanders, Black Caviar set to make a couple of appearances, the outcry about horses not being able to fly to Brisbane already has begun.

While I confess I don't know the costs of hiring a cargo plane, surely in this day and age the whole racing industry should come together to attract the best horses to any carnival and the cost could be split by four or five States.

Even before Peter Moody has to contemplate a float trip to Brisbane with Black Caviar, Adelaide racing is keen to get Hay List in town for the Goodwood in three weeks.

Trainer John McNair only will go with Hay List if there's a plane and, for mine, that's highly unlikely.

Another to be affected is Dan Morton, who was forced to give Scenic Shot a lengthy road trip from Melbourne to Brisbane for the carnival.

I know there will be people saying it's the responsibility of owners and trainers but, if the racing chiefs want the best, they should help supply the best transport.

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IT IS likely Eagle Farm will be rain-affected even with a few days to go before racing takes place.

After missing a workout last Tuesday because all the tracks were closed, trainer Brian Smith was forced to gallop his talented mare, Jasminka, between races on Wednesday in preparation for Saturday's $100,000 Juanmo Stakes.

Smith feels she's progressed since her latest start victory.

Jasminka, part-owned by Hall of Fame jockey Mick Dittman, has built up a great strike rate winning six of her 13 starts with five other placings.

Smith also is set to resume Meet George on Saturday following a great campaign last time he raced.

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GOLD Coast trainer, Maryanne Thexton, is confident her filly, Merryanna, can produce her best at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The two-year-old was given a freshen-up after a run in Sydney and while the owners and Thexton were disappointed Merryanna didn't get amongst the money in the Widden Stakes, the trip south has really helped season the filly.

Thexton told me Merryanna had a barrier trial last week and showed great improvement in her physical condition.