From the time Rey Magnerio entered the Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock stable for a spring campaign, circles had been placed around two races during the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.
The first of those comes up on Saturday, the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) with the second, the Listed Always Welcome Stakes (1200m) on Saturday week.
“We built his campaign around running twice in Cup week, so he will run this Saturday and then again the following Saturday,” de Kock said.
Rey Magnerio has had two starts to prepare for Saturday’s run down the famous Flemington straight, running third first-up over 1100m at Caulfield on September 21 and then an unlucky close second to Estriella in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint (1000m) on October 19.
That run showed the Griffiths and de Kock team Rey Magnerio was ready for Saturday’s race on a course that he has been successful at previously.
But de Kock did note that Rey Magnerio, with 54kg, was not that well handicapped as a 91-rated galloper compared to Star Patrol who is rated 104 and is the 58kg topweight.
“He’s flying and he’s in a good space, but he’s a little bit out of the weights with the handicap,” de Kock said.
“His true weight is 51-½ kilos, so he’s 2-½ kilos out, but hopefully he can rise to the occasion.
“He was probably a winner without a penalty in his last start.”
Rey Magnerio found trouble in the straight at Caulfield last time before flashing home late and stewards did quiz jockey Jye McNeil.
De Kock said horses racing down the straight can also find trouble.
“He’s won up the straight and I think the 1200 metres is perfect for him and it is what we have built the campaign around this week,” de Kock said.
“He’s been trouble free this campaign as the autumn was at the end of a very long campaign.
“We weren’t expecting him to rise that quickly, but this campaign we’ve been able to give him a rest, come off a spell and plan his program nicely.
“So far, it’s all been good.”