After a short 63-day spell and a change of stables to the Chris Waller barn, C’est Magique ($5.50) has returned in fine style to claim the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday afternoon.
The previously Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Zoustar had only managed one win prior to Saturday’s triumph for the former stable, unable to return to the winners’ enclosure since breaking her maiden in August of 2022.
It was a clever ride by star hoop James McDonald as he sent the four-year-old forward from barrier eight, taking luck out of the equation, bounding across to gain the leader’s back throughout the 1300m journey.
Chinny Boom ($4.60) had been well-supported with online bookmakers and was happy to lead them along at a moderate tempo under Justin Stanley, looking to pinch a break as she did in her last victory.
Abounding ($18.00) looked to lob into the ideal stalking position, before Ausbred Flirt ($26.00) got a split towards the inside; however, they were simply playing for minor money as C’est Magique pulled away to score a comfortable 1.5-length win.
2024 Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes Replay – C’est Magique
Chris Waller was on course and was delighted with the victory, suggesting there would be more to come from this lightly raced mare as she targets the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) on June 29.
“Coolmore purchased the horse and entrusted our team to train her,” explained Waller.
“We’re just taking over. I spoke to Grahame (Begg) before the race. She’s a lovely mare and we weren’t sure whether she’d cope with this track – it is quite firm today.
“From the draw, James (McDonald) took the option to roll forward and left the race (for her) to show her class.
“She’s a lovely horse. Grahame did a great job with her. She’s got good, clean legs. We haven’t panicked and had the confidence to back her. She’s got good form and a talented horse.
“That is the plan (the Tatts Tiara). Today was only the entree.”
James McDonald spoke again for the fourth time during the afternoon and suggested the Tatts Tiara could be well within her grasp.
“We went on a sedate tempo throughout and she only had to sprint home 400 metres so it was a good effort,” said McDonald.
“Similar sort of field (in the Tatts Tiara so she could (progress).”
C’est Magique is now on the second line of betting at $8.00 with online bookmakers for the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) on June 29.
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