Magic Time adapts to new script to claim the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick

Things didn’t go to plan early but classy mare Magic Time was still able to pull off an impressive win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick.

Magic Time and Jordan Childs (right) charge home to beat Iowna Merc (left) to win the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Royal Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Grahame Begg admitted it didn’t go to script but his brilliant mare Magic Time still found a way to win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Magic Time was expected to either lead or settle on speed but instead found herself in an awkward position between runners for most of the race before she gained a split and sprinted to win the Group 2 $300,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m).

“We thought she would be outside the leader, or possibly lead, but she came out of the gates pretty steady and a couple kicked in underneath her and she got into a pretty awkward position,” Begg said.

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“Kerrin (McEvoy) on Joliestar was trying to keep her in a pocket but once she saw daylight she really exploded.

“She has come up really well this mare this preparation. From the time she came back from a spell, it was probably the best she ever spelled, and her coat has been glowing the whole time through.”

Magic Time ($2.90), well ridden by Jordan Childs, burst between runners late to edge out Iowna Merc ($8) by a half neck with Joliestar ($2.05 favourite) a neck away third.

Joliestar was trapped three-wide in the small field of six and was also disadvantaged when the race developed into a sprint home.

🪄 Magic Time produces some wizardry to take out the G2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick!@JChilds47 | @Grahame_Begg | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/oRQfm1YSTL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025

The final 600m of the race was run in a very fast 32.52s – the overall time of 1m 10.07s was only moderate – so although Joliestar endured a tough run, it is impossible to take anything away from Magic Time who gave her rivals a start and still ran them down.

“On paper we thought she’d land outside the leader or be right there, but she just got away a little bit sticky and I didn’t want to press her to hold a spot because she can get a little bit fired up, especially being fresh,” Childs said of Magic Time.

“I had to go to Plan B. We ended up in a sticky spot. She always gave me a feel that once I did get out she was going to explode, but I had to wait my turn and trust her and when she did get out she was just too good for them.”

Begg said his autumn carnival plans for Magic Time are not set in stone but he is likely to run the mare next in the Group 1 $750,000 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Royal Randwick on March 8.

“We could get her out to 1500m for a race like the George Ryder Stakes and then bring her back to 1400m for the All Aged Stakes later in the carnival,” Begg said.

Originally published as Magic Time adapts to new script to claim the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Randwick