Top Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote will be keeping a close eye on the weather as he attempts to prepare his best horses for a successful Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival campaign.

Heathcote has his fingers crossed that the rain will hold off for this Saturday’s program at Eagle Farm where many of his horses will have their final runs before the winter carnival.

Rain has pounded Brisbane for the past three days and it is set to continue for Saturday’s important race meet.

“I am keeping my eyes on the weather,” Heathcote said.

“The rain will play a big part in how many of them start on Saturday.

“Some of these races fit perfectly for the rest of these horses’ winter carnival campaigns but a lot of what happens will depend on the weather.”

One of Heathcote’s biggest winter hopes is his star filly Hidden Kisses, who is set to compete in Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Princess Stakes.

“She produced a huge win first-up, she actually surprised me how well she won and she was really impressive in a race which was run to suit,” Heathcote said.

“She’s up to a mile second-up and she’s drawn perfectly (barrier one) to run really well again.”

Heathcote has plotted a winter schedule for Hidden Kisses that will ultimately lead her to a Queensland Oaks start on June 4, 2011.

“I’ve trained her for the Oaks and I have a big opinion of her,” Heathcote said.

“I took her to Sydney and Melbourne early in her career, that’s how much I think of her.”

The successful trainer is also ptaying for good weather to aid two other of his winter prospects, Captain Clayton and Outstandingly, who are both running in the $100,000 Listed Hinkler Handicap.

“Captain Clayton has been brilliant at his first two runs without luck this campaign and he’s a quality horse who is going places,” Heathcote said.

“Likewise, Outstandingly is a horse on the up. He’s a Sydney winner who is still eligible for restricted races but he is a horse who I think can measure up to Listed company.”