Grahame Begg is relying on Nash Rawiller along with Magic Time’s love of Randwick to overcome wide gate in The Invitation

Grahame Begg’s perfectly laid plan to win the $2m The Invitation hit a snag when Magic Time drew a wide gate but he hasn’t given up hope on victory.

Trainer Grahame Begg is forthright when asked about the task in front of Magic Time in Saturday’s Group 2 $2m The Invitation (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

“It’s not easy is it,” Begg said.

“It’s going to be bit tricky but we will leave it up to the jockey.”

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Nash Rawiller will be tasked with piloting a course from what will likely be barrier nine in The Invitation.

Magic Time jumped from the same gate last year and was trapped three-deep the trip before toughing it out on speed to finish close up in third.

She could face a similar assignment to win on Saturday.

Magic Time has taken a different path to this year’s Invitation after the mare won the Group 3 The Nivison in the lead up to last year’s race.

The daughter of Hellbent went down the Flemington straight first-up this time around and was tightened for room late when finishing fourth in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m).

“She has taken good improvement from the first-up run and she usually derives good improvement after going to the races,” Begg said.

"Magic Time looms on the outside and went on by."

A second Group 1 for the @Grahame_Begg mare as Michael Dee drives her past Amenable to win the $1.5m @SchweppesAus All Aged Stakes at Randwick with early leader Private Eye holding third. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/oQqsFFU9fu

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) April 20, 2024

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“We’ve got her set up for this race.

“She has performed well at the track, course and distance so it looks like a good recipe.”

Magic Time has proven adept over the Randwick 1400m, winning this year’s Group 1 All Aged Stakes.

She snared her maiden Group 1 following last year’s The Invitation with victory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and she is an $8 chance to win the same race this year.

Bookies rate Magic Time as an equal second elect for The Invitation alongside Chris Waller’s Zougotcha with Waller’s in-form mare Olentia ($3.70 fav) the horse to beat.

Magic Time will run less than an hour after her half-brother Henlein, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, in the Group 1 $2m Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

The talented duo are both out of the same mare Time Awaits.

Originally published as Grahame Begg is relying on Nash Rawiller along with Magic Time’s love of Randwick to overcome wide gate in The Invitation