Victorian visitor Magnaspin won The Coast at Newcastle at his only NSW start. He can add a second in the Narrandera Cup and book his place in the Big Dance.
The Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Magnaspin will be out to keep his perfect New South Wales record in tact when lines up in the Narrandera Cup (1600m) which carries Big Dance eligibility.
“When you put a lure of a $3 million race on in the Spring and these Cup races are win and you’re in, then it’s definitely worth having a crack at,” said Will Larkin, assistant trainer to Leon and Troy Corstens.
“Even if you get beaten in these Cup races but run second or third, you are eligible for the Little Dance which is still worth very good money.”
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Magnaspin was headed for Queensland’s Winter Carnival and stopped off at Newcastle on the way north where he scored a gutsy win in the $500,000 The Coast on May 11.
After finishing sixth in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm three weeks late, he returned home and the plan was hatched to try and qualify for the Big Dance through the Narrandera Cup.
“He was terrific in winning The Coast,” Larkin said.
“It was a bit of a surprise. We thought we would go there and try and pinch a bit of prizemoney on the way up (to Queensland).
“It wasn’t over what we would consider his best trip but it was restricted to three and year-olds and wet track brought him right into it. He loves a heavy track.
“He’s just so tough and honest and that probably got him the win in the end.
“After the Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm, we had a look as some other races up there but nothing jumped out.
“We came up with a bit of a long-range plan to freshen him up and get him into the Big Dance. This race suited nicely.
“We gave him a week out on the paddock after his run at Eagle Farm and he is feeling really well and had a jumpout last week and he goes into the race in good order.”
Joining Magnaspin on the trip to Narrandera is Madame Meteor who will contest the Narrandera Bakery Fillies and Mares Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).
The daughter of Zoustar has had two runs back from a lengthy spell where she has been below her best according to Larkin but a drop back in grade can help her recapture he best form.
“She has been a bit disappointing bit she is a horse that is hard to keep the work up to. We have to train her soft so racing her fit is the way to get the best out of her,” Larkin said.
“She is third-up now and finally draws a good gate.
“She has been very stiff when it comes to barriers. I think we have scratched her eight times due to drawing outside gates.
“She shouldn’t settle too far away from gate one and hopefully she can improve on when she has done in her last couple of starts.”
Madame Meteor was good in winning her maiden after racing outside the leader at Kyneton in April last year.
She had just one run in the Spring before another spell and her two starts at Moe and Seymour this campaign.
“She lightened off a lot so we elected to give her every chance with a really good break,” he said.
“She has to start putting her hand up now but this is a drop in grade for her and looks a nice race to help her get back to form.”
ADAM SHERRY’S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 4 No. 4: Hulm
The Ross Purcell-trained gelding is racing ion superb form with three wins and two placings this campaign. Hard to beat again.
NEXT BEST
Race 7 No. 1: I’m A Steel
Has been very good winning two of her four starts and jumped in grade when unplaced in the other two. In her right grade here.
VALUE BET
Race 3 No. 1: Amont
Has returned to Australia after placing in two of his seven starts in Hong Kong. Back with the Lee brothers and trialling very well.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 1, 2, 3, 5
Race 6: 3, 4, 8
Race 7: 1, 3, 4
Race 8: 1, 2, 5
Nick Heywood could be in for a good at Narrandera with a nice book of rides. Picture: Getty Images
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Nick Heywood has a nice book of rides and looks a great chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – NARRANDERA
RACE 1
Mischinka tracked the leader and boxed on well to finish a half-length second to Steve’s Way over 1600m at Corowa two weeks ago after a fourth over 2000m at Wagga. She will appreciate stepping back up to 2100m. Grenoble ran well first-up when third to Verbek at Wyong over 1600m. Also suited by the extra trip. Fox Appeal was third behind Steve’s Way after coming from last on along the rails. This is his first go beyond the mile.
Bet: Mischinka to win
RACE 2
Riverbend Unicorn has been good in finishing second at both his runs. Was slow away and raced keenly before finishing just over a length of Dupli Kate before a similar effort behind Impending Love both over 1175m at Albury. Should appreciate the 1400m. Bledisloe blundered just after the start and was caught three-wide and pushed wider on the bend when third to odds-on fav Scarli Japarli at Goulburn on June 21. Newyork Missile is worth consideration on his two recent placings.
Bet: Riverbend Unicorn to win
RACE 3
Amont was an impressive trial winner as a two-year-old for Jim and Greg Lee before heading to Hong Kong where he placed second in two of his seven starts. Has returned to the Lee brothers and win and a fourth in his two Randwick trials. Brial Rose raced three-wide when third behind Prophet Time on debut before leading and beating all bar Gundy Guy at Wagga on Feb 8. Went quick early before being eased right down in her Albury trial on July 8. Ditterich has claims.
Bet: Amont each-way
RACE 4
Hulm has finished top two in five starts since joining the Ross Purcell stable. Scored big wins at his past two starts at Seymour and Corowa and can bring up the hat-trick. Mojo Music had a long campaign but raced well when placing in three of his last five runs including a third to Kappy’s Angel at Wagga on May 25. Back from a let-up and won his Wangaratta trial nicely on July 8. Kappy’s Angel has claims on her Ladies Cup win at Wagga.
Bet: Hulm to win
RACE 5
Go Ellie Go can bring up the hat-trick after her win in a Bm 58 at Albury and her a big win from Magmetric in a Class 3 at Corowa. Jordy Girl tracked the leader before finishing a three-quarter length fourth in a Bm66 at Wangaratta last start. Back in grade here. Was winner at Albury at her last NSW run back on Feb 18. Parabellum has been racing at the midweeks and provincials before changing stables. Keep safe.
Bet: Go Ellie Go to win
RACE 6
Zipitalist was resuming from a six week break when he sat second behind Inquisitive Legend and ran him to a nose in a Midway Class 1 at Hawkesbury on June 18. Up in weight and drawn out but still the one to beat. New Jersey brought up the hat-trick with an all-the-way win from Tizso Fab in this grade at Corowa on July 1. He was a winner at this track and distance the start prior. Smart Poppy is chasing a hat-trick after wins here and at Gundagai since resuming.
Bet: Zipitalist to win
RACE 7
I’m A Steel has been impressive in winning two of her four starts in a Nowra Maiden and a Sapphire Coast Class 2. Her two failures came in a TAB Highway at start two and the Group 2 Light Fingers at Randwick on Feb 17. Super Sunny Seeya was bumped and crowded after the start before closing strongly down the outside when a close second to Starlight Girl at Albury last start. Aunty Ginny is a progressive filly who will be prominent again.
Bet: I’m A Steel to win
RACE 8
Magnaspin relished the heavy track to win The Coast over this trip at Newcastle and wasn’t disgraced when sixth ion the Lord Mayors Cup at Eagle Farm. Riverplate was impressive winning first-up over 1400m at Murray Bridge for his new stable. Suited stepping up to 1600m. Ascension has claims on his Swan Hill Cup second over this trip two starts back.
Bet: Magnaspin to win