Newcastle, September 20 – Melbourne visitor Magic Jet turned in a sensational performance at Newcastle on Wednesday, running a bold second in the Group Three Spring Stakes to provide his sire Magic Albert with his first Australian stakes performer.
“It was a super run and we were really happy with him, although he’s still a big baby and can do a few things wrong. I think he’ll be even better when he can come from behind, but we’ve struck small fields at each of his three starts and he has such a lovely cruising speed that you’d rather let him bowl along than be reefing him back in the field,” said trainer Stephen Theodore.
Magic Jet took up the running in the 1600 metre event not long after the start and led throughout, only to be run down in the closing stages by highly rated colt Mearas.
“He stayed at Jack Denham’s stables in Sydney prior to the run but is already on his way back to Melbourne. We plan to bring him to Sydney again for the Spring Champion Stakes on October 7, but he has such a strong constitution and does so well that I may give him another run in the Group Two Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday week,” said Theodore.
A strapping chestnut gelding, Magic Jet has now won two of three starts earning $48,850, not a bad return for what is seen as an educational preparation by Theodore, whose long-term goal for Magic Jet is the AJC Australian Derby in the autumn.
Magic Jet was purchased for $60,000 by Theodore at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he was offered by Yarraman Park Stud.
Bred at Yarraman, he is the fourth foal of the metropolitan winner Military Call, a half-sister by Military Plume to Group Two winner Regal Crown and stakes-placed performers Johann’s Dream and Cat in a Hat.
“It was my first time at the Magic Millions and out of 1100 odd horses I fell in love with this one. He is a striking individual and I thought he’d be in my price range, however $60,000 blew the budget right out, but I’d decided that I had to have him,” explained Theodore.
“He always showed ability and we paid up for the Magic Millions two-year old race, but he kept growing and growing, so we gave him time and now we hope our patience is going to be rewarded.”
When Theodore bought Magic Jet he knew very little about his sire Magic Albert, but has been so impressed with his purchase that he’s sent five mares of his own to Magic Albert this spring.
“I’ve become a huge fan of the Magic Alberts and if there are any out there that need a trainer, I’d love to see them coming my way,” enthused Theodore.
Magic Albert is now booked out and will cover over 150 mares this season, his largest and best book of mares since retiring to stud in 2002.
Magic Albert was also in the news at the Gold Coast on Wednesday when his two-year old son from Whyceebee fetched $140,000 to be the second highest priced offering during the opening session of the Magic Millions Horse in Training Sale.
