Magic Time gets her training in Victoria, but her repeated journeys to Sydney give her solid grounds for local allegiance in the city by the harbour.
In 26 total starts, 14 have come in Sydney with four successes and five seconds or thirds, versus 10 in Victoria plus two in Brisbane.
Her participation this Saturday is the fourth year running on the Sydney autumn carnival’s closing card – a placing came her way in 2023’s James H B Carr Stakes (1400m), she then annexed the All Aged Stakes (1400m) a year after, and midfield last year in that event.
Results at the meeting have mostly been favourable, and Grahame Begg is hopeful of another good showing against elite rivals in Randwick’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes.
“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.”
Returning first-up, she missed by less than three lengths in Caulfield’s William Reid Stakes (1200m) on March 21, then was too forward early and only dropped away late versus Joliestar in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Begg cites legitimate factors and confirms the blinkers are gone now.
“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 All Aged Stakes’ recent trio of winners will do battle Saturday: 2023’s Giga Kick joins titleholder Jimmysstar in the field.
Gates pose challenges with Magic Time at 11 and Jimmysstar 12, but Giga Kick has seven.
The race brings back group favourite Fangirl, sidelined post-spring due to bone chip removal surgery.
Find the best racing betting markets for the Group 1 All Aged Stakes.