JENNY Graham and trainers around New South Wales have had three weeks to get used to it, but there is little doubt a lack of spectators is something they'll never get used to.
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A surreal Country Championships final will take place behind closed doors at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday when Graham lines up with four-year-old gelding Magnalane.
Graham admitted a win in the final wouldn't be the same in front of empty grandstands, but they had to simply get on with it.
"Without the crowd there you haven't got the atmosphere and all the build-up to the race, but I guess we're lucky we're still going forward and still racing," she said.
"It's not the same, but I think we've got to go and treat the situation as normally as possible."
The Port Macquarie trainer is well-versed in country championships finals at Randwick after Victorem saluted in 2018.
Without the crowd there you haven't got the atmosphere and all the build-up to the race, but I guess we're lucky we're still going forward and still racing.
- Jenny Graham
"Victorem was a very special horse and was always on top of his game," Graham said.
She had no doubt it would be a different race day experience to what she experienced two years ago.
"You have your associations with staff, friends and owners and you can't mingle like you would like to," she said.
"It definitely does give it a different outlook, but if you come out on top and happen to win the race, a few phone calls later and a healthier bank balance would help."
A strong barrier draw and a wrong weather forecast are two of the items that appear highly on Graham's wishlist with up to 25 millimetres of rain expected before the race.
"He raced quite wet at Taree on a soft track so I think he'll get through it, but the barrier will be important for him, I'd like him just behind the speed if possible."
Constant showers over the last month have also proven challenging for Graham's preparation.
"Your training tracks effect the horse because it's not as easy to get good surfaces to work your horse when you're getting a lot of rain," Graham said.
"Track surfaces are important because you need your horse to be as sound as they can be; you don't want too much taken out of it."
- Jenny Graham
"Track surfaces are important because you need your horse to be as sound as they can be; you don't want too much taken out of it."
Ligulate and Bobbing appear to be Graham's two main competitors standing between her and a share in $500,000.
"There are some nice horses in amongst them all and barriers and luck on the day will play a big part," she said.
"We're all there for the same reason and have all got our horses in the best shape we can; if he can run in the first half a dozen I'd be pretty pleased with him."
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