By MIKE DILLON
Graeme Sanders thought he had two nightmares to contend with rather than one when he looked out the window yesterday morning.
He was already disappointed with the No 16 barrier draw for Magic Winner in this evening's $150,000 NZ Bloodstock Avondale Cup as he watched the rain tumble down.
But the Waikato trainer's fears of a rain-affected track may evaporate today.
AJC club officials are predicting a track upgrade to firm by this afternoon if the weather stays fine for the club's biggest day of the year.
"The footing is officially easy at the moment and will be tomorrow morning, but if it stays fine we are confident there will be an upgrade to firm by the middle of the afternoon," track manager Brian McKinney said last night.
And that is great news for Sanders. Magic Winner was a good thing beaten in last year's cup after drawing the outside of 18 barriers and Sanders was disappointed the No 16 marble fell his direction at Saturday's barrier draw.
An unsuitable wet track would have been just too much to contend with.
"He's very well at the moment, but he really needs a firm track," Sanders said.
A shifty track did not help when Magic Winner failed in the Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield in October.
His earlier form in New Zealand had been fabulous, including a third to The Message and Integrate in the group one Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings.
The value of the Hastings effort was that Magic Winner, at least at this stage, has no aspirations as a weight-for-age performer.
If you are looking for something to boost your trifecta, Sanders is tipping his other runner, long-priced The Immortal One, as a genuine chance not to be underestimated.
The Immortal One will be ridden by Grant Cooksley, who was in great form at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Counties Cup winner King Keitel, racing in Eric Watson's blue colours, has been favourite since fixed odds betting started and that is unlikely to change this evening.
From the No 3 barrier, he will get every chance to make it five straight.
Kaapeon, No Alimony and So Lets are further strong chances in an open field.
Racing: Rain, rain, stay away pleads Sanders
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