Racing: Magnetism out to regain old magic

If you're wondering how Magnetism will perform at Rotorua tomorrow in his first start since November 30, join a queue that includes his trainer, Ralph Manning, and the horse's manager, Rick Williams.

They know the horse is fit enough to win and they are also aware that Magnetism has not previously raced at Rotorua.

And then there is a little thing about Magnetism's mental approach.

"He's thrown in shocking fresh-up runs both times he's raced in that condition," says Williams, who manages Magnetism for Australian owner Dick Karreman.

The horse is one of New Zealand's best gallopers, but his form as a 4-year-old early this season was very mixed.

That came as no surprise to his camp. "He's had problems we've known about since day one," says Williams.

"They were manageable things as a 3-year-old, but things got worse when he came in at four and looking back he was starting to think that racing was going to hurt him.

"We believe it's the reason he was getting his head up in some of his races.

"There were those prepared to blame Jim Collett, but it's too easy to blame a jockey - I knew it was never a case of the wrong jockey."

Magnetism has had OCD lesions on his stifle operated on and Williams said a couple of other minor irritants had been taken care of.

"We don't know what to expect this time. He's working well, but you can't be rapt in his chances when he went so badly first-up last year."

Manning feels the same as Williams. "His work this morning was huge, but it's hard to forget the way he let us down."

The heavy track will not be a problem, says Manning.

"He's twice the horse on rain-affected footing.

"He's run a 1.33 mile, but he's better with cut in the ground."

And class won't be an issue.

"I know he's got 60.5kg, but he's far superior to the horses he's meeting," said Williams.

"You can't forget that he finished second in the Frank Packer Plate in a very high-class field and you can make the case he probably should have won.

"Opie Bosson is on him and he's got the best pair of hands in the business if he starts to get his head up."

Next month's Opunake Cup is the main target for Magnetism before he has his preparation aimed at the Hawkes Bay spring carnival.

Superalloy has yet to achieve anything like the level of Magnetism, but he looks the horse to beat.

He was stopped in his tracks when looking for a gap halfway down the home straight at Te Rapa last start and finished four lengths from winner Zamfir.

In ground so heavy it is impossible to regain balance and momentum, the fifth placing can be forgiven.

And after only two runs this campaign there should be just a little more improvement for this race.

Madamvizelle comes in nice and fresh - the way she seems to race best.