The $300,000 G2 ATC Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday marked the return of G1-winning mares Joliestar and Magic Time, with the latter carrying the Yulong colours to a thrilling win.

Trained by Grahame Begg and ridden by Jordan Childs, Magic Time looked awkwardly placed after turning for home, but when she was able to find clear running the daughter of Hellbent hit the line hard to score a long neck win over Iowna Merc with Joliestar a close-up third.

“We were worried about Joliestar obviously, but she’s (Magic Time) going extremely well and she’s in for a great prep,” said Grahame Begg.

“She goes to the Canterbury Stakes (1300m G1) in three weeks and then we’ll work it out from there maybe a George Ryder (1500m G1) or back to the All Aged (1400m G1).”

Magic Time was bred and raced originally by John and Trish Muir’s Milburn Creek Thoroughbred Stud after failing to make her $150,000 reserve at the 2021 Magic Millions.

Purchased privately last year by Yulong, she has the overall record of seven wins and four placings from 17 starts with earnings topping $2.8 million.

Magic Time is the best of three winners from three foals to race from G3-winning Nicconi mare Time Awaits and is a half-sister to G1-placed Henlein and smart metro winner Cosmonova.

Time Awaits has no yearling for the sales this year, but produced a colt by I Am Invincible last spring before visiting Snitzel.

Magic Time is the highest stakeearner for Yarraman Park’s Hellbent, who has sired the winners of over $6 million so far this season.