Magic Time may hail from Victoria in terms of training, yet she possesses strong credentials as an honorary Sydneysider due to her regular trips to the harbour city.
Out of 26 career outings, the mare has appeared 14 times in Sydney, securing four victories and five minor placings, in contrast to her 10 runs back home in Victoria and a pair in Brisbane.
This Saturday marks the fourth consecutive year that she lines up on the concluding day of the Sydney autumn carnival – during 2023 she filled a placing spot in the James H B Carr Stakes (1400m), coming back a year on to claim the All Aged Stakes (1400m) prior to a midfield effort in the same race 12 months ago.
The fixture has generally delivered positive outcomes for her, and handler Grahame Begg is optimistic that trend continues even with a top-tier opposition in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick.
“It’s obviously a good race. They don’t give them away,” Begg said.
“This has been her preferred distance.
“She looks in great order, and she worked strongly (on Tuesday) morning at Randwick.”
In her fresh appearance, she was beaten by under three lengths when unplaced in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21, then overdid it early on and faded only in the closing 50m when behind Joliestar in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Begg believes she had solid justifications for that run and notably, the blinkers have now been removed.
“The other day, she ended up being stuck down on the inside of runners. She got a bit of a bump at the start, and she over-raced in the blinkers and fired up,” Begg said.
“It took a good four hundred metres to get back and get cover, but then she was back down hemmed in on the inside and probably on the worst part of the track after doing a bit of work.
“She only got beaten a touch over three lengths. We felt she ran well, so we’ve taken the blinkers off her and we’ll see what happens.”
The previous three champions of the All Aged Stakes are due to meet again on Saturday, including 2023 winner Giga Kick and last year’s title defender Jimmysstar, both confirmed runners.
Magic Time draws gate 11 while Jimmysstar has barrier 12, with Giga Kick set to jump from post seven.
The contest also signals the comeback of favoured mare Fangirl, absent since bone chip surgery concluded her spring campaign.
Check out the latest Australian betting sites for Group 1 All Aged Stakes markets.