Begg mare shooting for second All Aged Stakes win
Trainer Grahame Begg is banking on a better draw to help Magic Time return to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s All Aged Stakes at Randwick.
The mare heads to the 1400m Group 1 after a familiar run in this month’s T J Smith Stakes, where for the second year in a row she drew barrier one and found herself cramped for room.
In both T J Smith attempts, Magic Time was forced to race tight along the inside rail and couldn't find clear galloping space, finishing seventh in 2023 and sixth this year by just over a length.
Begg is hoping for a midfield barrier in Saturday’s race, similar to her successful draw in last year’s All Aged Stakes, where she surged home from gate six to win.
“She has drawn barrier one in the T J Smith both years, and it’s been rinse and repeat,” Begg said.
“She got beaten just over a length last year and it was similar again this time.
“She was down on the inside being dictated to when you are trying to hold your position too close to the lead.
“She’s much better when she has a little room to move, ridden a little more cuddled back and allowed to wind up into her race.
“She ran very well and they’re great races, those races.”
He also pointed out how close the competition has been in the T J Smith, with little separating the top 10 runners.
“There’s not a lot between them, two lengths between the top 10, and it’s luck on the day,” he said.
Jordan Childs retains the ride on Magic Time this weekend, having guided her in all three runs this prep, including her dominant win in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) in February. Michael Dee partnered her to victory in last year’s All Aged Stakes.
Magic Time’s breakthrough Group 1 came in last spring’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), and she remains a key contender this weekend if conditions go her way.
More Racing News
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...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...