New Zealand, January 21 – Magic Albert’s outstanding three year-old Magic Cape produced a whirlwind finish at Trentham on Saturday, storming home from last to win the Group Three Wellington Stakes over 1600 metres by a nose.
The athletic chestnut looked no hope at the top of the straight when last and out of camera range, but unleashed an explosive turn of foot over the concluding stages with regular jockey Patrick Holmes timing his finish to claim victory over Figueres in a spine tingling result.
Not seen since toppling highly rated Jokers Wild in the Group One New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas on November 18, Magic Cape was turned out in sensational order by trainer Shaune Ritchie.
The exciting gelding had a few weeks in the paddock after his first Group One triumph, but had done plenty of work since then including trips to the beach.
”We’ve been based down here in Levin since the start of this week and we’ve been working the horse each day on the Foxton beach,” said Ritchie.
“It is something we did down in Christchurch last year where we went to the beach that the trotting guys use at Woodend and the horse loved it.”
Magic Cape will have just one more run before the Group One New Zealand Derby in March, tackling either the Group Two Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 17 or possibly the Group One Whakanui Stud International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 10.
A $50,000 purchase from the draft of Windsor Park Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale last year, 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.
Magic Albert yearlings are scarce at the sales this year although he does have four catalogued for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale including the half-brother to stakes-winner Shepishir.