3 minute read
A small but select field lined up in this year's renewal of the Group 3 A.J. Scahill Stakes with emerging star Vega Magic asserting his authority.
An impressive winner of the Colonel Reeves Stakes three back, Vega Magic proceeded to hold his own in the Winterbottom Stakes before again raising the bar on Saturday.
On trial beyond 1200m, Vega Magic passed with flying colours making light work of his rivals under regular rider Jake Casey.
In a interestingly run race, Vega Magic didn't receive all the favours, as many first anticipated.
Three-year-old Lusaha took over the running passing the 800m with Vega Magic enjoying a nice trail in second.
Travelling well into the straight, Vega Magic quickly ambled up to the lead and put the race away in a few strides.
Both Chocolate Holic and First Among Equals worked home well to fill the minor placings, however Vega Magic was never in any doubt.
Cruising to the line to score by two lengths Vega Magic returned a new Timeform career peak of 116, a two pound improvement on his effort from the Winterbottom Stakes.
Vega Magic's performance leaves him rated alongside past winners Watermans Bay and Grand Nirvana.
Only the mighty champ Takeover Target has returned a higher winning figure (124) in the last 20 years.
Elsewhere - Eagle Farm
Ravi returned to the winners circle with a terrific win in the Canadian Club Just Now Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Having been freshened since her fifth placing at Flemington on Cup day, Ravi settled in the second half of the field before running on strongly in the straight, blowing her rivals away by over three lengths.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained runner returned a new career peak of 108, five pounds above her previous best, both coming in Group 3 races earlier in the preparation.
Ravi is the highest rated winner of the race since Alverta who ran to a Timeform rating of 110 when winning in 2009 before going on to win the Group 1 Coolmore Classic the next preparation —she improved to a figure of 118 on that occasion.
The Racing and Sports field strength of 101.8 is a touch below average for a listed race but above the 2015 renewal of 99.9 taken out by Slots who ran to 97 on that occasion.
Of the beaten brigade Unequivocal ran to a figure 93, some nine pounds below her previous effort when runner up to Snoopy at Rosehill.
Sheiswhatsheis returned a rating of 87, the same figure as the start prior when fifth to Elegant Composure.
Earlier in the programme Eckstein secured her third win in as many starts when winning the Listed Peak Sports & Spine Mode Plate (1200m), when virtually leading throughout.
Eckstein ran to a new career peak Timeform rating of 99, seven pounds above his previous win at Rosehill Gardens, still 16 pounds below Wining Rupert who took out the feature three-year-old race over this course and distance the week prior.
Candika, not far away in second ran to 98, four pounds below her previous best with third placegetter Gibraltar Girl running to a new peak figure of 98.
