Victorian visitor Magnaspin won The Coast at Newcastle on his only NSW start and can add a second place in the Narrandera Cup and secure his place in the Big Dance.
Magnaspin, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, will be looking to keep his perfect New South Wales record intact when he contests the Narrandera Cup (1600m), part of the Big Dance competition.
“When you run a $3 million race in the spring and you win these Cup races and you’re in it, it’s definitely worth a try,” said Will Larkin, assistant coach to Leon and Troy Corstens.
“Even if you get beat in these Cup races but finish second or third, you qualify for the Little Dance, which is still worth a lot of money.”
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Magnaspin was en route to the Queensland Winter Carnival and made a stopover in Newcastle on the way north, where he took a gutsy win in the $500,000 The Coast competition on May 11.
After finishing sixth in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm three weeks late, he returned home and a plan was made to qualify for the Big Dance via the Narrandera Cup.
“He was great in winning The Coast,” Larkin said.
“It was a bit of a surprise. We thought we would go there and try to steal a bit of prize money on the way (to Queensland).
“It wasn’t what we would call his best ride, but it was limited to three- and year-olds and the wet track really got him into it. He likes a tough track.
“He’s just so tough and honest and that’s probably what got him the win in the end.
“After the Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm we looked at some other races but nothing stood out.
“We came up with a kind of long-term plan to freshen him up and get him into the Big Dance, and this race was a good fit.
“We’ve given him a week in the paddock after his run at Eagle Farm and he’s feeling really good. He jumped out last week and he’s going into the race in good condition.”
Madame Meteor will be teamed with Magnaspin to Narrandera and will compete in the Narrandera Bakery Fillies and Mares Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).
According to Larkin, the daughter of Zoustar has two runs under her belt after a long period of not performing at her best. By dropping down a level, she can regain her best form.
“She’s a bit disappointing but she’s a difficult horse to keep up with. We have to train her softly so racing her fit is the way to get the best out of her,” said Larkin.
“She is now in third place and is finally pulling a good gate.
“She’s very stiff when it comes to barriers. I think we scratched her eight times for drawing outside the gates.
“She won’t have to stay too far from gate one and hopefully she can improve her performance from the last few starts.”
Madame Meteor was strong in winning her first race after racing outside the leading group at Kyneton last April.
She had only one run in the spring, after which she started a new period and started twice with Moe and Seymour this season.
“She’s gotten a lot lighter so we decided to give her every chance with a good break,” he said.
“She has to put her hand up now, but this is a lower class for her and it seems like a nice race to get her back into shape.”
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP PICKS
BEST GUESS
Race 4 #4: Hulm
The Ross Purcell trained gelding is racing in excellent form with three wins and two placings this season. Tough to beat again.
NEXT BEST
Race 7 #1: I’m a Steel
Has been very good winning two of her four starts and jumped in class when unplaced in the other two. In her correct class here.
VALUE BET
Race 3 #1: Amont
Returned to Australia after winning two of his seven starts in Hong Kong. Back with the Lee brothers and doing very well on trial.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 5
Race 6: 3, 4, 8
Race 7: 1, 3, 4
Race 8: 1, 2, 5
Nick Heywood could have a good chance at Narrandera with a nice book of rides. Photo: Getty Images
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Nick Heywood has a nice list of rides and has a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – NARRANDERA
RAS 1
Mischinka followed the leader and got into the swing of things to finish second half a length behind Steve’s Way over 1600m at Corowa two weeks ago, after a fourth over 2000m at Wagga. She will appreciate the step back to 2100m. Grenoble ran well at her first start when she finished third behind Verbek at Wyong over 1600m. Also fitting for the extra distance. Fox Appeal was third behind Steve’s Way after coming from last place along the rail. This is his first attempt over the mile.
Stake: Mischinka wins
RAS 2
Riverbend Unicorn has been good in taking second place in both runs. Was slow off the mark and raced enthusiastically before finishing just over a length clear of Dupli Kate before producing a similar effort behind Impending Love, both over 1175m at Albury. Should like the 1400m. Bledisloe blundered just after the start and was caught three wide and pushed wider on the turn when third behind favourite Scarli Japarli at Goulburn on 21 June. Newyork Missile is worth considering on the back of his two recent placings.
Stake: Riverbend Unicorn wins
RAS 3
Amont was an impressive winner of a trial as a two-year-old for Jim and Greg Lee before going to Hong Kong, where he finished second in two of his seven starts. Has returned to the Lee brothers and has a win and a fourth in his two Randwick trials. Brial Rose raced three-wide when third to Prophet Time on debut before leading and beating all but Gundy Guy at Wagga on 8 February. Was fast at first before being slowed in her Albury trial on 8 July. Ditterich has claims.
Bet: Amount each-way
RAS 4
Hulm has finished in the top two in five starts since joining Ross Purcell. Scored big wins in his last two starts at Seymour and Corowa and can make it a hat-trick. Mojo Music had a long campaign but raced well when finishing in three of his last five runs, including a third to Kappy’s Angel at Wagga on 25 May. Recovered from a setback to win his Wangaratta trial nicely on 8 July. Kappy’s Angel is in contention for her Ladies Cup win at Wagga.
Stake: Hulm to win
RAS 5
Go Ellie Go can make it a hat trick after winning a Bm 58 at Albury and a big win from Magmetric in a Class 3 at Corowa. Jordy Girl followed the leader before finishing a third length fourth in a Bm66 at Wangaratta on her last start. Back in class here. Was a winner at Albury on her last NSW run on 18th February. Parabellum raced at midweeks and provincials before changing stables. Stay safe.
Stake: Go Ellie Go Win
RAS 6
Zipitalist resumed his career after a six-week break when he finished second to Inquisitive Legend, taking him by a nose in a Midway Class 1 at Hawkesbury on June 18. He was heavier and worn out, but still the one to beat. New Jersey completed a hat-trick with an all-the-way win from Tizso Fab in this class at Corowa on July 1. He had been a winner at this track and distance the previous start. Smart Poppy is chasing a hat-trick after wins here and at Gundagai since resuming.
Stake: Zipitalist to win
RAS 7
I’m A Steel has impressed by winning two of her four starts in a Nowra Maiden and a Sapphire Coast Class 2. Her two failures came in a TAB Highway on start two and the Group 2 Light Fingers at Randwick on 17 February. Super Sunny Seeya was pushed and heavily trafficked after the start before closing strongly on the outside when second to Starlight Girl at Albury on her last start. Aunty Ginny is a progressive mare who will again feature prominently.
Stake: I am a steel to win
RAS 8
Magnaspin enjoyed the tough job of winning The Coast on this trip to Newcastle and was not discredited when he finished sixth in the Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm. Riverplate was impressive when he won his first start over 1400m at Murray Bridge for his new yard. Suited to stepping up to 1600m. Ascension claims his second in the Swan Hill Cup on this trip, two starts back.
Stake: Magnaspin wins
