September 3 – He stands at a fee of just $13,750, very nearly had a Group One winner last Saturday and as at September 2 had sired eight winners in seven days, who is he?.

Magic Albert is the horse in question and he has hit the ground running since August 1 siring 18 winners to put him in equal second place with Commands on the leading sires by individual winners list with only Encosta de Lago ahead of the pair on 24 winners.

Among Magic Albert’s winners is classy colt Ilovethiscity, who went over so close to becoming the third Group One winner for his sire when charging home for an unlucky third in the Group One STC Golden Rose last Saturday.

The Group One MRC Caulfield Guineas is the main aim now for Ilovethiscity, but his next race start is the cause of some consternation for trainer Grahame Begg.

“The programming is a bit messy after the Golden Rose, it’s probably run a week early,” he said.

"With six weeks to the Caulfield Guineas, there is not a natural pathway to the Group I feature on October 9.

“We’ve been going through the relevant history of previous Guineas winners to see where they had their lead-up runs,” Begg said.

“With Caulfield being probably the most tricky Melbourne track to get around, it would be good to have a run there before the Guineas, so the Prelude in three weeks, but three weeks before, is an option.

“The Stan Fox Stakes is in four weeks, then two weeks into the Guineas. They are probably the favoured options at this stage.”

Despite the hassle of programming, Begg is delighted with how Ilovethiscity has come through the Golden Rose.

“He is beautiful and hasn’t left an oat,” he said.

“You would like to think that after his effort on Saturday there is a Group I race in him, whether it is this preparation or down the track in his career.”

Winners at the end of racing on Thursday September 2, courtesy www.breednet.com.au .

TOP SIRES BY WINS LAST 7 DAYS
Magic Albert
8
Beautiful Crown
7
Show A Heart
7
Blevic
5
Dehere
5

TOP SIRES BY WINS LAST 30 DAYS
Commands
22
Encosta De Lago
22
Magic Albert
20
Show A Heart
17
Falvelon
16