Magic Time, the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) victor in November, marked her return with a public trial at Cranbourne on Monday morning.
Trained by Grahame Begg, the four-year-old mare secured the fifth position over 800 metres, finishing 2.75 lengths behind the winner Grand Impact.
In response to the trial, rider Michael Dee commented, “She was great, she was only out there to have a soft hitout, and I think if I shook the reins at her, she would have really let down and finished off and would have gone close to winning that heat.”
Magic Time is now gearing up for her first-up challenge in the $1.5 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) scheduled for March 9.
Preparations include a likely straight-track jumpout at Flemington the week before the prestigious race.
Magic Time is listed as a +1200 chance with horse racing bookies for the Newmarket Handicap.
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