Magic Time set for the G1 All Aged Stakes
Trainer Grahame Begg believes Magic Time is still on the improve this preparation as he prepares the mare for her next feature race assignment in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
Magic Time is already a Group 1 winner over 1400m this season in last spring’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, and Begg is looking forward to seeing the mare back over that distance in Saturday’s weight-for-age race at Randwick.
Magic Time has been unplaced in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes this preparation, but Begg saw plenty of merit in the mare’s latest showing in the TJ Smith (1200m) when she was only just over a length from the winner, Chain Of Lightning, in a bunched finish.
“I thought she ran very well,” Begg said.
“The jockey (Michael Dee) thought she was going to be the winner turning for home. I guess she just drew probably not the gate that was desirable on the day, barrier one.
“She got beaten 1.1 lengths and ran seventh, so she has run very well.
“Obviously she’ll improve with another run under her belt. That was only her second run back this time round.
“We’re very happy with her and she’s stepping up to 1400m.”
Magic Time has raced over 1400m four times during her career for wins in the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the 2022 Listed Amanda Elliott at Flemington, while she has also registered two minor placings over the Randwick 1400m in last year’s James Carr Stakes and the $2 million The Invitation.
“Her form at 1400 is very good,” Begg said.
“She had a good month between runs between the Newmarket and the TJ and now two weeks into the All Aged.”
Begg said a trip to Brisbane after the All Aged was also a possibility for the mare.
“We’ll get over next Saturday first,” he said.
Magic Time is among 17 nominations for the All Aged which also includes Espiona – sixth in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 6 – along with Southport Tycoon and Private Eye.
Espiona holds favouritism in early markets to $3.50 with Magic Time at $8 with online bookmakers.
The All Aged is one of two Group 1 races on Saturday’s program along with the Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds.
More Racing News
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...