Rey Magnerio ready to shine in the 2025 Winterbottom Stakes

Rey Magnerio has taken his first trip away from home in his stride, according to trainer Robbie Griffiths, who is delighted with the sprinter’s condition ahead of Saturday’s Group 1 test.

The Cranbourne-trained gelding is lining up in the prestigious Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot as Griffiths hopes to claim his second elite victory.

His stable’s first came in the 2016 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) when The Quarterback produced a memorable win down the Flemington straight.

Rey Magnerio has been targeted specifically at this race, with Griffiths giving him a conservative Melbourne spring so he would peak for the Western Australian feature.

The only uncertainty was how he would handle the significant travel demands.

Despite boasting nine victories from 24 starts, the most he had travelled prior was the trip to Echuca for The Discovery in April.

His Perth journey included a float trip to Sydney followed by a chartered plane ride across the country.

“He went on the road to Sydney, he travelled fantastic and his first flight on a plane, he travelled well without a hitch,” Griffiths said.

“He settled in over there without a worry and has been loving the warm weather.

“His appetite has been fantastic. He had a good gallop on the course proper last Saturday and did some light work on Tuesday.”

Griffiths arrived in Perth on Thursday, having entrusted the sprinter to long-time lieutenant Reid Balfour in the lead-up.

“It’s all about keeping him in the right frame of mind,” Griffiths said.

“He had a searching gallop before he got on the plane, he’s had a couple of runs back, a gallop over there, so I don’t think we can have him any better.

“Touch wood, everything looks good and fingers crossed it turns out that way.”

Leading WA jockey William Pike will take the mount on Saturday.

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