Trainer Grahame Begg faces a spring puzzle with Magic Time after her brilliant first-up win in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Defying the on-pace pattern, the $3.90 favourite stormed down the outside under Michael Dee to beat Miss Roumbini ($6) by three-quarters of a length, with Abounding ($17) close behind in third.

Originally slated to defend her title in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on September 20, Begg now fears the six-year-old may be weighted out of the race.

“She might be outweighed in the Rupert Clarke,” Begg said. “She was a 112-rater going into today’s race, so we’ll have to work that out. This mare still has a good deal of improvement to come.”

Begg said Magic Time’s coat still needs to turn, but racing will bring her forward.

Dee, who reunited with the dual Group 1 winner, praised her trademark finish, saying: “We saw that good turn of foot that she’s always got.”