New Zealand, September 24 – Last season’s Group One winner Magic Cape indicated he was back on track for another good campaign when he was shaded narrowly by classy galloper Mandela when second in the Listed Jim and John Evans Metric Mile at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The Magic Albert gelding got to the front with a furlong to run but could not hold off a last stride challenge from Mandela to go down by a neck in his second run back from a spell of 26 weeks.

A $50,000 purchase from the draft of Windsor Park Stud at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Magic Cape is the first living foal of the Kaapstad mare Cape City, a half-sister to Group One placed Quite Astute from the family of champion NZ filly Rosie’s Girl.

Trained by Shaune Ritchie Magic Cape has won four races and placed three times from 10 starts earning $285,600.

He is one of 10 stakes horses to date for Magic Albert who will serve his sixth season at Yarraman Park at a fee of $16,500.