The Gr.2 Expressway Stakes looked like a lost cause for Grahame Begg’s Magic Time (Hellbent) for the majority of the run and far into the straight, with Iowna Merc (Winning Rupert) appearing to have the race in the bag – but the pack fanned out over the last furlong and the 5-year-old mare squeezed through the gap. With 100 metres left to run, she found an extra gear to rocket home, with Iowna Merc breathing down her neck 0.21l behind. Race favourite Joliestar (Zoustar) kicked well to finish third, 0.37l further back.
Adding a sixth stakes win to her record, Magic Time clocked a scorching 32.52s for her last 600 metres.
“We brought her here because we thought she’d get some give in the ground,” Begg said post-race. “She’s effective on top of the ground as well, but getting cut in the ground, if it gets wetter as the autumn goes on, well she is going to come right into play.
“We were worried about Joliestar obviously, but she’s (Magic Time) going extremely well and she’s in for a great prep.
“We earmarked (that) she would run today, three weeks into her next start, and then we’ll work it out from there. She is entered for everything she can be in.”
Begg confirmed that Magic Time will head to the Gr.1 Canterbury Stakes next, before plotting a course to either the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes or another tilt at the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes in April. The mare also holds nominations for the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes, Gr.1 Doncaster Mile, and Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Magic Time was raced by her breeder Johnathan Muir up until November last year, when she was purchased by Yulong in a private sale. Her dam, Gr.3 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Time Awaits (Nicconi), delivered a half-brother by I Am Invincible in the spring, and was covered by him and Snitzel afterwards.
Written by Kit Gow for TTRAusNZ
