Trainer Grahame Begg believes Magic Time is still on the improve this preparation as he prepares the mare for her next feature race assignment in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
Magic Time is already a Group 1 winner over 1400m this season in last spring’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, and Begg is looking forward to seeing the mare back over that distance in Saturday’s weight-for-age race at Randwick.
Magic Time has been unplaced in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes this preparation, but Begg saw plenty of merit in the mare’s latest showing in the TJ Smith (1200m) when she was only just over a length from the winner, Chain Of Lightning, in a bunched finish.
“I thought she ran very well,” Begg said.
“The jockey (Michael Dee) thought she was going to be the winner turning for home. I guess she just drew probably not the gate that was desirable on the day, barrier one.
“She got beaten 1.1 lengths and ran seventh, so she has run very well.
“Obviously she’ll improve with another run under her belt. That was only her second run back this time round.
“We’re very happy with her and she’s stepping up to 1400m.”
Magic Time has raced over 1400m four times during her career for wins in the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and the 2022 Listed Amanda Elliott at Flemington, while she has also registered two minor placings over the Randwick 1400m in last year’s James Carr Stakes and the $2 million The Invitation.
“Her form at 1400 is very good,” Begg said.
“She had a good month between runs between the Newmarket and the TJ and now two weeks into the All Aged.”
Begg said a trip to Brisbane after the All Aged was also a possibility for the mare.
“We’ll get over next Saturday first,” he said.
Magic Time is among 17 nominations for the All Aged which also includes Espiona – sixth in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 6 – along with Southport Tycoon and Private Eye.
Espiona holds favouritism in early markets to $3.50 with Magic Time at $8 with online bookmakers.
The All Aged is one of two Group 1 races on Saturday’s program along with the Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds.