New Zealand, February 6 – Leading New Zealand Derby contender Magic Cape will have an exhibition gallop before the first race at the Ellerslie twilight meeting on Wednesday.
Cambridge trainer Shaune Ritchie confirmed the three-year-old will have a 1600m gallop in company of another Derby prospect, Namidi (NZ) (Kingfisher Mill x Lughnasa by Centro)
Magic Cape returned to the racing scene in brilliant fashion with a fine win in the Group 3 Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on January 20. That was his first race-day outing since winning the Group 1 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 18.
"By having the gallop at Ellerslie on Wednesday he gets the opportunity to have another good look at the course and it will be a good idea to give him something a bit serious because he has four weeks between races," Ritchie said.
Magic Cape will race next in the Group 2 $100,000 Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on February 17. Then he tackles the Group 1 $700,000 Mercedes New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 3.
Cambridge rider Patrick Holmes is engaged to ride Magic Cape in the Championship Stakes and also possibly in the Derby. "Patrick’s engagement is a race-by-race agreement at this stage," Ritchie said.
Courtesy NZTM Update.
