Racing: Dry weather a worry for Kiwi pair in Grafton Cup

A lack of rain at Grafton in northern New South Wales has Levin trainer Peter McKenzie worried heading into today's Grafton Cup.

On form, McKenzie has two of the leading chances in the A$160,000 ($197,000) cup in topweight Empyreal and Sculptor.

But their best form is on rain-affected tracks and there seems little prospect of rain at Grafton.

"I haven't been to the track this week but I can't imagine it being anything other than fast," McKenzie said yesterday.

"So I have to be indifferent about their chances."

McKenzie rated Sculptor the better of the two for this race, but was quick to point out that in 10 starts on firm tracks he hasn't once figured in the placings.

Sculptor ran fourth in the Queensland Derby last month, before running a game third in the Brisbane Cup two days later.

He was then freshened before running fifth in the Sunshine Coast Guineas, racing on the worst part of the track in the home straight.

Empyreal is lumped with 58.5kg in the cup, which McKenzie thinks is unfair.

Not only had he gone up 2kg on his Caloundra Cup win on July 1, but was still suffering weight-wise for his victory in that event a year ago, McKenzie said.

"He was actually weighted at 53kg for that race but they raised the weights at acceptance time and he went up 3kg and has been weighted on that basis rather than what he should have been carrying," he said.

"You can't do anything about it - there is no appeal system."

The two horses' chances haven't been enhanced by the draw either. Empyreal has drawn 12, while Sculptor starts from 16.

McKenzie had thoughts of aiming both his horses at the Melbourne Cup in the spring and running in the first three tomorrow would improve their chances of getting there.

Chris Johnson will ride Empyreal, while Lisa Allpress, who rode Sculptor in the Brisbane Cup, was engaged for the 3-year-old. Their main rival, Verb, is a $4.50 favourite for the cup. Empyreal is rated at $8, while Sculptor is a $10 chance.

- NZPA