Grahame Begg pair shine in Sandown gallop

Posted by RS NewsWire at 2:58pm on February 22nd

Grahame Begg has taken advantage of race day atmosphere with two of his mares who are about to embark on their autumn campaigns.

Magic Time, ridden by Michael Dee, and Cinderella Days, under Blake Shinn, worked between races at Sandown on Wednesday, galloping over 900m, quickening up over the final 600m.

Already a Group 1 winner, Magic Time is being aimed towards the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) first-up at Flemington on March 9 while Cinderella Days, a newcomer to Begg’s stable, is scheduled to run first-up over 1100m at Flemington on March 2.

“Both jockeys were really happy. It was lovely work,” Begg said.

“We brought them over to give them that bit of stimulation which you don’t get working at the same track every day.

“It brings them on, switches them on a bit more and you get a bit more out of them as far as their fitness levels go.”

Begg is planning a trip to Flemington for a jump-out up the straight on March 1 for Magic Time and after the Newmarket Handicap is hoping the mare will then head to the Group 1 TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes at Randwick.

After her first-up assignment, Cinderella Days, on the other hand, could head to the Mystic Journey Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on All-Star Mile Day, a 1200-metre fillies and mares set-weights and penalties race and then potentially target a Stakes race in Adelaide.

A former member of the Joe Pride stable, Cinderella Days won a hot Cranbourne trial on February 5 that saw a number of the Lightning Stakes runners engaged, including the winner Imperatriz .

“The horse has come up very well,” Begg said.

“She’s a big strong girl. She’s got some good form in Sydney against some reasonable horses, but she just tapered off her form last preparation and then went out and had a good spell.

“This has switched her on a bit more today and I think she’s got good talent.”

More Racing News

Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic

A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...

Yesterday

The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth

Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...

Yesterday

Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000

Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...

Yesterday

Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes

A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...

Yesterday

Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six

Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...

Yesterday

Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest

Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...

May 16th

Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream

The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...

May 16th

‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup

Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...

May 16th

Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?

To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...

May 16th

Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes

Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...

May 16th