Racing: Sista needs some rain at Avondale to make mark

Chad Ormsby

Mark Donoghue was about the only person praying last night for an end to Auckland's resurgence of summer weather.

The Matamata trainer needs a rain-affected track to green-light Sista's autumn comeback at Avondale today.

Without it the Counties Racing Club's midweek drawcard will be reserved instead for a PQ 1400m assignment at Tauranga on Saturday when the fine weather is forecast to end.

"We're not really panicking yet about the weather, but it is frustrating because there are a few nice races coming up for her," said Donoghue, who took over the reins from former training partner Graham Richardson earlier this month.

"We want to get that run into her but we don't want her to jar up and then have to back off. We have to get some rain before she can run."

If the weather breaks this week, Donoghue plans to set his wet-track specialist for a second-up assault on the group one $120,000 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1600m) at Te Aroha on April 8.

The Magic of Sydney mare hasn't won since downing That's Tops in the group three Hamilton Guineas (1600m) at Te Rapa in November 2004.

But Donoghue, who is in his first solo season as a trainer, is confident Sista has plenty more black type performances like that and her Wanganui Guineas win ahead as a four-year-old.

"She is coming up good enough to say we can aim quite high with her again," said Donoghue.

Owners Lisa Anderson and Grant McLeod are taking a punt on Donoghue being the man for that job.

During his three-and-a-half-year partnership with Richardson, Donoghue partnered Sista in all her trackwork and knows her quirks better than anyone.

"She is a real one-man-band type of horse," said Donoghue. "She has her funny little ways, but you can always work around those."

Donoghue admits her high head carriage doesn't help her in races.

But apprentice Chad Ormsby, who steps in for regular Thomas Russell to make use of a 2kg claim, will be under strict instructions to let her find her stride in her fresh-up return.

The more you fight her, says Donoghue, the worse she performs.

As for her chances of a win in her first start since last November, Donoghue is more hopeful than confident if she gets track conditions to suit today.

"She's had no trial but has had eight weeks' work and is forward enough to be really competitive with the claim," he said.