Magenta Skies is poised to compensate for her missed autumn three-year-old campaign as she gears up for her first race day engagement in nearly ten months.
The Frankel filly demonstrated sufficient early potential in her initial two outings to warrant a start in last year’s Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), where she finished seventh behind her Michael Freedman-trained stablemate Apocalyptic.
Following that race, she underwent surgery to address bone chips in a knee, a recovery process that kept her sidelined throughout the autumn.
Magenta Skies has been entered for Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, in addition to a benchmark race at Kembla Grange. Freedman has expressed satisfaction with her home-based preparations.
“Unfortunately, after she ran in the Flight Stakes last year she pulled up with a knee that required surgery,” Freedman said.
“She had that and had a nice break. She’s had a steady, long build up that has been going well thus far.”
“I’m looking forward to getting her back to the races on Saturday. Whether that’s at Randwick or Kembla, we’ll have a look at both options.”
“Hopefully we can have an uninterrupted ‘prep’ with her, and get her to her full potential.”
Godolphin’s mare Mareth returns in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200m) at Randwick and will compete with 56.5kg, benefiting from apprentice William Stanley’s three-kilogram claim.
She concluded her autumn campaign with a close second to Beskar in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m). Freedman has identified next month’s Group 3 Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong as her immediate target.
“We thought we’d kick her off on Saturday and look at a race like the Mona Lisa at Wyong in a couple of weeks’ time,” he said.
“The 1350 around there, I thought would really suit.”
“The three kilos (off on Saturday) will certainly be advantageous to her to drop in the weights a bit. She’s a very genuine sort of mare so it looks like a nice option for her.”
Mareth has had only one trial leading up to her comeback, but Freedman indicated this would not be an issue.
“She’s not an overly big, robust sort of mare so looking at her, I didn’t feel a second trial was going to be of any real benefit,” he said.
“I’m happy for her to go to the races off the back of one.”
The Precise Air Handicap looks a competitive affair, offering punters a great chance to get involved with the racing betting markets.