The Robbie Griffiths & Mathew De Kock stable are expecting a more seasoned King Magnus to step out for his second shot at 2000m.
Nine-year-old King Magnus, a veteran of 41 starts, did not have his first run at 2000m until his most recent out on July 20 and will have his second in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Griffiths and de Kock had harboured ambitions of trying King Magnus at 2000m earlier in his career, but circumstances did not afford that opportunity until last start when finishing fifth behind Horrifying and Smokin’ Romans.
De Kock said the stable was happy with King Magnus’ performance in which he finished just under two lengths from the winner.
“I thought it was good,” de Kock said.
“The sectionals said he was the fastest in the last 600 (metres), so they agreed with what we saw.
“Although he wasn’t flashing home, he was still strong at the line, so we’re happy to have another crack on Saturday.
“Moonee Valley throws another aspect into it. Hopefully he enjoys that and can run well.”
De Kock said he was not worried about the extra 40m or the rising nature of the Moonee Valley track in the second half of the race.
What he is more concerned about is seeing King Magnus get into a nice rhythm through the race.
“I’m not worried about the rise and the extra distance and hopefully the speed is on, and he can settle well,” de Kock said.
“I think the ability to being able to run out that distance is being seasoned to do so and up until last start he had not had anything longer than a mile, so I think he will improve off that.
“The form from that last start is strong with Horrifying coming out to win again, so that gives us a little bit of confidence.”
