Trainer Grahame Begg is hoping for a favourable draw as he looks to claim a second All Aged Stakes title with talented mare Magic Time at Randwick this Saturday.
After scoring in last year’s Group 1 on a rain-affected surface, Magic Time returns to the 1400-metre weight-for-age feature off a similar lead-up effort in the T J Smith Stakes, where she once again drew the inside barrier and found herself stuck in traffic.
In both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the T J Smith, Magic Time drew gate one. Last year, she ran seventh, while earlier this month she finished sixth, beaten just under two lengths.
Begg believes the mare is more effective when allowed room to build momentum and is hoping for a midfield draw, similar to last year’s All Aged Stakes where she jumped from barrier six en route to victory.
“She has drawn barrier one in the T J Smith both years, and it’s been rinse and repeat,” Begg said.
“She got beaten just over a length last year and it was similar again this time.
“She was down on the inside being dictated to when you are trying to hold your position too close to the lead.
“She’s much better when she has a little room to move, ridden a little more cuddled back and allowed to wind up into her race.
“She ran very well and they’re great races, those races.”
Begg highlighted how tight the competition is in the T J Smith, with minimal margins separating the leading contenders.
“There’s not a lot between them, two lengths between the top 10, and it’s luck on the day,” he said.
While Michael Dee rode Magic Time to her All Aged Stakes win in 2023, Jordan Childs will be in the saddle this time, having partnered the mare throughout her current campaign, including a first-up victory in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) in February.
Magic Time recorded her first Group 1 success in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last November and remains a strong chance of adding another major to her growing resume this weekend.