Magna Sententia primed for Sandown Guineas under Weir

Taige Weir is still coming to grips with having a Stakes winner in her stable, but she is determined to maintain her focus and not let success breed complacency.

The emerging Ballarat trainer is setting her sights on securing a maiden Group victory this Saturday at Sandown.

Weir is set to saddle up Magna Sententia, a brilliant last-start Geelong maiden winner, for the $400,000 Group 2 Sandown Guineas over 1600 metres.

This upcoming challenge follows closely behind Billycart's triumph, which marked Weir's first Flemington winner in the Listed Batman Stakes on Melbourne Cup Day. She admits the recent success has been a lot to absorb.

"It's been a very big week and I got carried away with the celebrations a little bit, but I'm dealing with that now and catching up on life," Weir said with a laugh.

"It was just amazing. It's been just over a week now, it's just gone so quick and the support and the messages from everyone has been pretty cool. It's very special."

Weir candidly admits she never imagined having the favourite for the Sandown Guineas last week, noting that the race hadn't even crossed her mind until Magna Sententia's effortless win at Geelong.

Initially, Weir had intended for Magna Sententia to qualify for the $250,000 Emerging Stars Final at Ballarat on December 5. However, the gelding's commanding 5-3/4 length win prompted a significant shift in strategy.

"We had him set for that race because we wanted to qualify him for the race on Ballarat Cup Day, that was the whole idea of it," she said.

"But I wasn't expecting that. He hit the front and I thought he was going to win, everything else was off the bridle trying to chase us, but I didn't think we'd win by that much.

"I originally just put a (Guineas) nom in thinking we wouldn't run, then I just the progressive acceptances and, while it's still strong, it doesn't look as strong as previous years, and I thought we better just have a crack."

Magna Sententia's victory at Geelong was over 1318m. His two previous starts were over 1200m, making Saturday's 1600m assignment a notable step up. Nevertheless, Weir is confident the distance will pose no problem for the gelding, with jockey Will Gordon, her partner, confirming his belief that the Written By colt will handle the trip.

Magna Sententia's dam is Lake Sententia, a daughter of California Dane, who also foaled Darkbonee, a competitor in the 2400m Group 2 Zipping Classic later in the Sandown program.

"Will, my partner, said last preparation, 'this horse will be a really good miler'," Weir revealed.

"I've always had that in my back of my head and the data at home suggests that where his sweet spot is, so I don't think that's going to be an issue."

Dean Yendall, the rider of Billycart for her Flemington win and Magna Sententia at Geelong, is booked again for Saturday's ride. Magna Sententia is currently the $4.20 favourite in the Guineas betting.

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