Time for some Magic in G1 Newmarket Handicap
A trip to Flemington for a jump-out consisting of horses in the Newmarket Handicap provided Magic Time with the ideal lead-up to the Group 1 handicap.
Trainer Grahame Begg took advantage of giving Magic Time a look at the straight 1200m course over which the mare will race first-up on Saturday.
Magic Time finished fourth in the 800m jump-out last Friday and Begg said it was the perfect hit-out for Saturday’s race.
It was the second time Begg had taken Magic Time away from his Cranbourne stable in preparation for the Newmarket Handicap after the mare galloped between races at Sandown a couple of weeks before the Flemington jump-out.
“She pulled-up great and we couldn’t be happier with her. She did it beautifully and it topped her off nicely,” Begg said of the Flemington hit out.
“The trip away helps tighten them up a bit more without putting them under too much pressure.
“It stimulates them. If you stay at home all the time, you don’t get that, and certainly it gets them thinking.”
Magic Time has been to Flemington once previously.
After a win on the Pakenham synthetic track on debut in October 2022, Magic Time took out the Listed Amanda Elliott Stakes (1400m) at her second start, during Melbourne Cup week.
She enters Saturday’s race first-up having last been seen winning the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last November and is unbeaten in three starts at 1200m.
Redkirk Warrior won the Newmarket Handicap in 2017 first-up off a similar break having won the Sandown Stakes (1500m) at his previous outing.
Begg said he began planning for a first-up tilt at the Newmarket Handicap not long after the mare entered the spelling paddock.
He said he could not be happier with the mare’s preparation towards Saturday’s race.
“It’s never easy to run first-up in a big Group 1 handicap, but we think she’s had the perfect prep,” Begg said.
“She’s done what we’ve asked her to do.”
Michael Dee takes the ride on Saturday with Magic Time to carry 53kg, 0.5kg more than what Redkirk Warrior did in the first of his two Newmarket Handicap victories.
More Racing News
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
‘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...
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...
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...
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...