The Grahame Begg-trained Magic Time has come with a withering burst to claim victory in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon, kicking off the campaign with an impressive first-up victory.
The daughter of Hellbent didn’t have much last preparation, with the two-time Group 1 winner managing back-to-back runner-up placings in the Group 2 Invitation (1400m) and Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) before being tipped out for a spell.
Jordan Childs was happy to sit back towards the rear of the field amongst the small field of six, with Givemethebeatboys ($23.00) and Iowna Merc ($8.00) jogging along in the middle stages as the 1200m contest turned into a sit-and-sprint in the final 400m.
It didn’t suit the short-priced favourite with Neds, Joliestar ($2.00), after somehow being cast three-wide without cover throughout the journey under Kerrin McEvoy, stunting her usually barnstorming turn-of-speed.
Magic Time was held up momentarily, however, once getting clear in the final furlong, she was the only horse punters would’ve wanted to be on as she surged to the top, claiming top honours in the $300,000 feature.
Grahame Begg was on course to discuss the win and what’s next for Magic Time in the autumn.
“She has been going terrific this mare,” said Begg.
“She prepped up really well for this race.
“We were worried about Joliestar obviously, but she is going extremely well and she’s in for a great prep.
“She goes to the Canterbury Stakes in three weeks. We mapped it out. We had today’s race, three weeks to the Canterbury Stakes and then we’ll work it out from there, maybe a George Ryder or an All Aged again. She is in everything.
“She has come up really well this mare this preparation. From the time she came back from a spell, it was probably the best she ever spelled, and her coat has been glowing the whole time through.”
“We brought her here because we thought she’d get some give in the ground. She’s effective on top of the ground as well but getting cut in the ground, if it gets wetter as the autumn goes on, well she is going to come right into play.”
Jordan Childs was elated with the win and suggested he may return to Sydney in the future to take the reins aboard Magic Time in Group 1 features in the autumn.
“My strike rate over the last few years, every time I come up here I seem to get a result,” said Childs.
“It makes it easier when you’re coming for the right horses but definitely happy to be here today.
“I’m sure I’ll be back up here.
“I had to go to Plan B (today). We ended up in a sticky spot. She always gave me a feel that once I did get out she was going to explode, but I had to wait my turn and trust her and when she did get out she was just too good for them.”
Magic Time is currently on the second line of betting at $5.00 with horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 8.
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