King Magnus not done with yet
It is not often a year away from racing will rejuvenate a gelding the way it has King Magnus.
The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock-trained galloper is a rising eight-year-old and is at the highest level he has been to in his 30-start career.
And judging by the way he is racing he is not done with yet.
King Magnus is aiming for a hat-trick when he steps out in the Brian Beattie Handicap (1420m) at Flemington on Saturday following successive wins over 1400m at the track on May 13 and June 3.
Arthritis saw Griffiths and de Kock bite the bullet and give King Magnus an extended break during 2022.
With a return aimed at the Winter Championship Series, King Magnus has played his part this campaign netting connections almost $170,000 in prize money for a career tally just shy of $1 million.
De Kock has been with Griffiths for three years and has seen the transformation in King Magnus.
“He was four when I joined Robbie and he had only won his maiden,” de Kock said.
“He’s unique. You could not say he was a good-looking horse as he was a homebred, but what’s inside him, his anatomy, is extraordinary.
“Cardiovascular, his data on the treadmill and the track is good but the biggest thing is his will to win.
“The year off has rejuvenated him and he’s at his highest ever rating.
“That’s fact, not opinion.”
How quickly King Magnus found winning form after his break did surprise de Kock.
He thought the Listed Winter Championship Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 1 might have been King Magnus’ race.
It still may be, but he may pay a further penalty if successful on Saturday.
“If he wins on Saturday, it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he got beaten in the final,” de Kock said.
“He would have won three of the lead-ups and you would already have a good level of money in the bank and the final is only $50,000 more.
“It’s not like the final is more lucrative than the heats.”
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...