New Zealand, October 7 – Talented NZ based Magic Albert three-year old Alberto went down by half a neck in the Group Two Hawkes Bay Guineas over 1400 metres in New Zealand at the weekend.

Alberto hit the front in the straight but could not quite withstand the late charge by last season’s champion juvenile Jokers Wild.

Trained by Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge, Alberto has had seven starts for four wins and two seconds, his only unplaced effort when he lost his rider at Hastings on September 23.

Bred in New Zealand at Blandford Lodge and sold to Rogerson for $77,500 at the 2005 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale, Alberto is the third foal of the Honor Grades (USA) mare Ballet Honours, a half-sister to Group One winner Lord Majestic.

Magic Albert also featured at Newcastle as the sire of improving three-year old Tricory, which made it back-to-back wins in taking out a Class Two event and can doubtless be placed to advantage at a midweek metropolitan meeting.

A $72,500 purchase from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud as agent for breeder Dennis Wilton at the 2005 Magic Millions Session Five, Tricory is a half-brother to stakes-placed Sweet Chloe from the winning Rory’s Jester mare Sweet Rory.