Sydney, February 26 – Classy Magic Albert colt Ilovethiscity dominated his rivals at Rosehill on Saturday to win the Group II ATC Hobartville Stakes over 1400 metres eased down.
The handsome chestnut, who is so reminiscent of his charismatic sire, was backed into favouritism and never gave punters a moment’s cause for concern.
Ridden a treat by Brenton Avdulla, the Grahame Begg trained Ilovethiscity (pictured courtesy www.stevehart.com.au) settled midfield and then stormed to the lead in the straight, coasting home to win by more than a length with a good bit up his sleeve.
“It was a very, very dominant win,” Avdulla said.
“He got into a lovely spot a couple of pairs back and I had to give him half a jawbreaker coming to the corner because he was going too good.
“When I pushed the button inside the 300 metres he put paid to them. I knew I was going to win from the 1000 metres… I haven’t had one quicken like that.”
Trainer Grahame Begg confirmed Ilovethiscity will head to the Group I ATC Randwick Guineas at Warwick Farm in two weeks time and from there possibly to the Group I ATC George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap.
A $40,000 purchase for his trainer from the Fairview Park Stud draft at the 2009 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Ilovethiscity is raced by a large syndicate who enjoyed previous success with another smart Begg trained winner Handsupfordetroit, whose BOBs bonuses were used to double up and purchase Ilovethiscity.
Ilovethiscity has already won $443,000 in prizemoney with three wins and three placings from just 10 starts.
Ilovethiscity is the fifth living foal of the Kenfair mare Kensington Rose (NZ), whose dam is a three-quarter sister-in blood to high class miler Dalmacia, who was trained by Neville Begg to win races such as the Group One AJC Epsom Handicap.
This is also the family of champion racehorse and sire Lonhro as well as Group I winners Grosvenor, Mahaya and Niello, so we should not be at all surprised that Ilovethiscity is heading towards Group I company.
Kensington Rose was covered again by Magic Albert last spring so is expecting a full sibling to Ilovethiscity.
Ilovethiscity is one of 10 stakes-winners for Yarraman Park based Magic Albert, who is enjoying his best ever season on the track with an impressive 44% winner to runner seasonal strike rate.
