Exciting filly It’s Kind Of Magic puts her hand up for shot at Magic Millions Guineas

It’s a big challenge but Brent Stanley believes his filly It’s Kind Of Magic has put herself firmly into the Magic Millions Guineas picture and Alligator Blood might not have race at his mercy just yet.

Brent Stanley will throw down the Magic Millions Guineas gauntlet to Alligator Blood with It’s Kind Of Magic after the filly’s impressive victory in the Leneva Park Handicap.

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Posted three-wide, Brett Prebble sooled the lightly-raced three-year-old to a tough win, declaring her a quality galloper.

As formidable as Alligator Blood is, Stanley won’t shy away from challenging the ruling favourite.

“I've never run away from a horse before,” Stanley said.

“She (It's Kind Of Magic) is a quality horse and she'll only get better at 1400m. It's going to suit her down to the ground.

“Her work going the reverse way has been better than going this way, so hopefully she can do it race day.”

With no cover, Prebble said It's Kind Of Magic had 'revved the motor a bit'.

“I would liked to have switched off and had a breather for 400m,” he said.

“But that didn't happen, so I thought I'd get going early.

“She hit a flat spot but she got through it then showed a good turn of foot and was soft on the line.”

Brett Prebble pilots It’s Kind of Magictyo victory in the Leneva Park Handicap.

THE PRICE OF SUCCESS 

Thomas Stockdale is familiar with the highs and lows of racing, but it was impossible not to sympathise with the apprentice after the 20-year-old notched his first Saturday winner in Melbourne.

Stockdale’s effort to ride at 52k, coupled with the rigours of an all-the-way ride over 2500m in sweltering conditions, immediately took its toll after the young rider guided Play Me Now to victory.

Complaining of feeling “dry”, Stockdale struggled on the slight uphill walk back to the jockeys’ room after dismounting Cindy Alderson’s stayer.

“I had to work quite hard to ride at 52kg today,” Stockdale said.

“He is very one-paced so I got going early on him and he did the rest.

“I’m just happy Cindy Alderson had faith in me for this horse and I’m just glad I could get the job done.”

After being examined by doctors, Stockdale was stood down and removed from four remaining rides.

His day subsequently worsened when, for the second Saturday meeting in a row, Stockdale was outed for eight meetings for careless riding.

LINDSAY PARK ON THE BOARD

On a day of firsts, Lewis German pocketed his main Valley winner when Pierless gave Lindsay Park an early double.

The tough filly’s success in the Ladbroke Handicap followed stablemate Cassius’ victory for Luke Nolen.

German and Nolen have both enjoyed plenty of spoils for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

Ryan's Fender is too strong in the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap.

CUMANI GOING THE DISTANCE

Matt Cumani’s stable has been in scorching form this summer and the run continued with Ryan’s Fender at The Valley.

The $1.50 favourite delivered Cumani’s 11th winner from his past 40 runners, and fifth in the past week.

A natural talent, Ryan’s Fender has been reformed with the help of Cumani’s staff.

“A big shout out must go to his track rider, an Irish rider that is old school,” Cumani’s assistant Andrew Bobbin said.

“Ryan's was the boss but he's now got him going around on a loose rein.

“Hopefully he can keep the momentum going through the summer and the 2000 (metres) is probably his trip looking at that.”

PAT ON THE BACK FOR PAYNE

Billy Egan credited trainer Paddy Payne after Mr Cashman joined an elite honour roll as winner of the Antler Luggage Plate.

Previous winners of the race include Yes Yes Yes, Headwater and Tulip.

Egan, who plotted an economical course on Mr Cashman had little doubt the winner had all the favours — because of Payne.

“His advantage on these today was that he has a good attitude and he was well schooled,” he said.

Dwayne Dunn pushes out Exquisite Beauty (right) to a win in the New Years At Legends Handicap.

DUNN CALLS IT AS IT IS

Kudos to Dwayne Dunn for rebounding from the disappointment of Wagner’s chequered defeat by scoring on Exquisite Beauty.

“We're always as disappointed as anyone else,” Dunn said of Wagner.

“We'd love to win every race if we could, so just got to cop that on the chin.”

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

Knife’s Edge — Blocked for room and given no chance to finish off behind Cassius.

Derive — Shin sore.

Wagner — Nowhere to go for the short-priced favourite after drawing the inside.

Written Choice — lame.

Taata da Goose — lame.

STEWARDS

Thomas Stockdale — eight meetings for careless riding.

Liam Riordan — 10 meetings for careless.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I’d sooner it be warm and muggy than cold and bloody raining.”

— Luke Nolen, contemplating the thought of a celebratory ale, after winning on Cassius.

TWEET OF THE DAY

“In the space of 30 seconds Wagner dismisses Steve Smith And ruins multi bets across the nation by getting beaten at Moonee Valley.”

— TAB’s Nick Quinn succinctly sums up Wagner’s (human) highs and (horse) lows from the MCG to the Valley.

TAB BIG BETS

RACE ONE

(Deduction: 11c x 11c)

Play Me Now ($6.50) toyed with his opposition and kicked away after dictating in front. The favourite Miss Five Hundred was unplaced and the heavily supported runner, Reliabelle, nabbed third.

FIRST: Play Me Now $6.50

SECOND: Yulong Rising $5.50

THIRD: Reliabelle $13-$6.50

UNPLACED: Miss Five Hundred $4.80-$4.20 (fav)

BETS: Miss Five Hundred $1,000 @ $4.20

BETS: Rockarral $1,000 x (2) @ $6.50/$6, $1,000 place @ $2.10

RACE TWO

(Deduction: 3c x 3c)

Mr Cashman ($6.00) strode away on the line to claim victory with Larimer Street and Flinders river claiming the minor prizes. Derive was $15 in to $7 and finished seventh.

FIRST: Mr Cashman $5.00-$6.00

SECOND: Larimer Street $4.60-$3.90-$5.00

THIRD: Flinders River $11-$8.50

UNPLACED: Derive $18-$7.00

BETS: Larimer Street $2,000place @1.70, $1,500 @ $3.90

BETS: Mr Cashman $1,000 @ $6.00, $1,000 place @ 2.10

BETS: Derive $2,000 @ $9.00, $1,000 @ $7.50, $1062 place @ $2.30, $2,000 place @ $2.30

BETS: Prince Ruban $1,000 @ $6.00, $1,000 place @ $2.10

RACE THREE

(Deduction 27c x 25c)

It was an easy watch for favourite backers. The heavily-backed odds-on favourite Ryan’s Fender led all the way, was never under any pressure and strode away for a convincing victory.

FIRST: Ryan’s Fender $2.40-$1.50

SECOND: The Lord Mayor $5.50-$4.20-$5.50

THIRD: Red Alto $18-$15

BETS: Ryan’s Fender $1,000 @ $1.60, $10,000 @ $1.50, $1,832 @ $1.50, $1,600 @ $1.50, $1,000 x (3) @ $1.55/$1.50/$1.50

RACE FOUR

(Deduction 7c x 8c)

The well-backed favourite Cassis was solid at the $2.80 quote on race day and was far too strong in the finish, beating home Rapid Romance and Briseur De Coeur.

FIRST: Cassius $4.00-$2.80

SECOND: Rapid Romance $4.20-$4.60-$3.80

THIRD: Briseur De Coeur $9-$5.50

BETS: Rapid Romance $5,000 @ $3.90, $1,000 @ $3.90

BETS: Briseur De Coeur $1,000 @ $5.50 $1,500 @ $5.50

BETS: Cassius $235 win x 1,765 place @ $2.90/$1.70, $2,000 @ $2.90, $1,000 @ $2.90, $1,000 @ $2.80

RACE FIVE

(Deduction 8c x 9c)

Bill The Bee shortened from $3.20 to $2.50 on race day and landed the prize comfortably. He travelled beautifully under Jye McNeil and careered away in the straight.

FIRST: Bill The Bee $3.90-$2.50

SECOND: Whistler Bowl $8.50-$16

THIRD: Denero $14-$13

UNPLACED: North Africa $18-$9.50

BETS: Heir Of Tavistock $2,050 @ $2.70

BETS: Front Of Stage $75 win x $1,025 @ $15/$3.90

BETS: Bill The Bee $1,667 @ $2.80, $3,000 @ $2.70, $2,000 @ $2.70, $1,764 @ $2.70, $3,700 @ $1.40

RACE SIX

(Deduction 12c x 13c)

The in-form mare Pierrless ($9.00) made it three straight wins after staving off challenges from Pina and the well-backed Seababe who both looked to have every possible chance.

FIRST: Pierrless $8.00-$9.00

SECOND: Pina $7.50-$10

THIRD: Seababe $5.00-$2.90

UNPLACED: Tata Da Goose $6.50-$4.20

BETS: Miss Polanski $2,500 each-way @ $12/$3.40

BETS: Tata Da Goose $3,500 @ $4.20, $1,000 @ $4.20

BETS: Seababe $2,700 @ $3.70, $1,000 @ $3.70, $1,364 @ $3.20, $1,429 @ $3.10, $2,500 @ $3.00, $1,000 x (2) @ $3.00, $3,000 place @ $1.45

RACE SEVEN

(Deduction 7c x 7c)

It was a sensational win by promising filly It’s Kind Of Magic. Today punters backed her from $2.80 to $2.15 and was too good despite getting trapped wide on-speed.

FIRST: It’s Kind Of Magic $3.50-$2.15

SECOND: Shezawitness $11-$7.00-$10

THIRD: Tragic $7.50-$9.50

BETS: It’s Kind Of Magic $1,000 x (2) @ $2.70/$2.40, $1,334 @ $2.50, $1,406 place @ $1.30, $1,425 @ $2.40, $3,000 @ $2.30, $2,000 @ $2.30, $2,500 @ $2.30, $1,000 x (3) @ $2.25

BETS: Tragic $500 win x $1,000 @ $9.00/$2.50

BETS: Paul’s Regret $2,000ew @ $4.00/$1.60, $1,000 x (3) @ $4.20

RACE EIGHT

(20c x 20c)

The Centaurian ($16) caused a massive upset beating home the unlucky odds-on favourite Wagner ($1.65) who couldn’t get clear in the straight and ran third.

FIRST: The Centaurian $15-$12-$16

SECOND: Pravro $26-$34

THIRD: Wagner $2.80-$1.65

BETS: Wagner $4,900 @ $1.55, $2,000 x (3) @ $1.60/$1.55/$1.50, $3,000 @ $1.55, $1,520 @ $1.55

RACE NINE

(9c x 9c)

Exquisite Beauty was crunched from $4.40 in to $3.00 on race day and got the bob in right on the line to defeat the $16 dollar shot Raven’s Blaze.

FIRST: Exquisite Beauty $7.50-$3.00

SECOND: Raven’s Blaze $13-$16

THIRD: Neurotic $10-$13

UNPLACED: Soul Star $8.00-$7.00

BETS: Rainbow Girl $1000 @ $3.90, $1,400 @ $3.80, $800 win x $1200 @ $3.90/$1.65, $1,000 @ $3.90, $2,000 @ $3.90

BETS: Exquisite Beauty $2,000 x (3) @ $3.40/$3.20/$3.10, $$4,000 @ $3.10, $2,500 place @ $1.50, $2,000 @ $3.20, $1,000 @ $3.00, $2,500ew @ $3.00/$1.45, $2,000 @ $3.00

Originally published as Exciting filly It’s Kind Of Magic puts her hand up for shot at Magic Millions Guineas