Racing: Magnetism's connections unsure on Cup start

Mandela looks a good value runner at $16 in tomorrow's Avondale Cup. Picture / Paul Estcourt

A decision on an Avondale Cup start for Magnetism has been delayed a further 24 hours.

The horse's connections are still mulling over the ramifications of Magnetism's somewhat controversial third in Saturday's $50,000 Great Northern Challenge Stakes at Ellerslie.

Magnetism appeared to sprint at the leaders too early in that race, suggesting the effort was better than the placing suggests.

But that issue aside, there is a feeling with some of his connections that Magnetism is not quite right.

The only decision made yesterday was that Jim Collett remains as the horse's rider if he starts.

A three-way conference was held between Collett, trainer Ralph Manning and Rick Williams, who manages the horse for his Australian owner.

"You could say a decision on a start is still work in progress," said Williams.

"The horse looked bright this morning and its probably a 50-50 call. I'm leaning more towards starting, Ralph is leaning slightly the other way.

"Well decide when we look him over at the track at 7am in the morning."

Williams is considering the possibility that the camp may have misread the value of Magnetism's 3-year-old form last season.

Apart from Xcellent, none of the horses he either beat or finished around both here and in Australia have run one, two or three in a group one race as a 4-year-old.

"Handicappers have always said 3-year-old form is overrated," said Williams.

"You see it a lot that good 3-year-olds come out and race at four and have a quiet year. They're suddenly up against the hardened criminals.

"Quite often they'll come back to their real form at five," Williams said.

"Having said all that, my feeling is that there is something not quite right with him.

"If he starts it will be because we think he can win. If he starts he'll be ridden very cold."

Magnetism has drifted out to a $12 chance in tomorrow's group one feature, which has a wide open betting feel about it.

The favourite is last year's unlucky runner Alls Well at $5 ahead of Tusker at $7, Filante Etoile on $7.50.

You then drop back to $10 for Creil, $11 for Haylee Baylee and Mistrale, $12 for Fountain Abbey and Magnetism, $14 for Our Kitty and $16 for Mandela.

Our Kitty and Mandela look the real value runners.

Our Kitty failed in the Waikato Cup, but she has an overall poor record on the Te Rapa track and could be better right-handed on tracks such as Avondale.

Mandela wound up to finish sixth in the Waikato Cup and looked as if the race would have done him no harm. He has plenty of potential and could well upset.

Devoted, to be ridden by stable apprentice Laura Cheshire, is $5.50 favourite for the $60,000 First Sovereign Trust Concorde.

He is followed closely in the market by Pin Up Boy at $6.50, Clifton Prince at $7, Crepe De Chine $8.50 and Mr Multiwin $9.