It’s Kind Of Magic is heading for The Valley after her victory in last Sunday’s benchmark 70 Charge At Beersheba Sprint (1000m) for local trainer Tom Dabernig at Warrnambool last Sunday.
It was a second career win at ride number 10 for apprentice Jordyn Weatherley, who broke the ice on the seven-year-old mare at Dunkeld last month.
Dabernig said It’s Kind Of Magic, who started a $3.40 equal favourite, deserved a crack at city company.
“We’ll probably give It’s Kind Of Magic her next run at The Valley,” he said.
“She’s racing in great heart and I think she’d be really suited to a 1000 metre race around The Valley. I think that’s her preferred distance but she might get out to 1200 metres.
“The win should also be good for Jordyn’s confidence. She’s been working really hard and deserves more chances.”
Meanwhile handy mare Picaroon, who won the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final for the astute trainer last month, is going for a spell after finishing eighth in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Has saddle, does travel
You’ve got to admire the commitment of heavyweight jockey Brad Rawiller.
The hoop had two rides last Saturday at Ascot in Perth before boarding the red-eye special to Tullamarine at 1am on Sunday to fulfill riding commitments at Warrnambool.
Rawiller, who normally rides around 59kg, left Tullamarine at 8am and headed to Warrnambool, where he had three rides on the nine event program.
His rides were all unplaced but he stood proudly when his nephew Campbell arrived back at the scales after riding his biggest winner of his career — Kiwi stayer Nassak Diamond in the $300,000 Jericho Cup.
Anewday on ice
Consistent Warrnambool galloper Anewdaydawning is in the spelling paddock after injuring his off-side foreleg following his win in a 3850-metre Jericho Cup heat at The Valley last month.
Trainer Michael Townsend said Anewdaydawning deserved a break following what was a successful campaign.
“We would have loved to have run him in the Jericho Cup but things didn’t go to plan,” he said.
“The horse just had a little bit of swelling in his leg and we decided not to risk him.
“We’ll give him four months’ break in the paddock and get him ready for a winter campaign. He appreciates wet tracks.”
From his 47 starts Anewdaydawning has won $221,105.
Newton in a thriller
Dual licence-holder Nathan Newton landed the biggest victory of his riding career when he rode Staying Strong to victory in last Sunday’s $60,000 Jericho Cup Consolation at Warrnambool.
Staying Strong got up in the last couple of strides to beat Field Of Lights in the 4065-metre event.
Wangaratta-based Newton, 31, said it was a big thrill to win on the seven-year-old, who is trained at Morphettville by Jan Taylor.
“I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’m still pinching myself.
“It was a gutsy win by the horse.
“I mix training a few horses with riding in jumps (and highweight flat) races.
“I’ve got five in work and do some pre-training.
“A win like this can only do my confidence the world of good and put me under the notice of trainers and owners. It’s really hard to get opportunities if you don’t have the backing of big stables.”
Newton has his first winner as a trainer when Three Over Two took a Bendigo maiden in February this year, ridden by his trainer.
Bill queries calendar
Jericho Cup founder Bill Gibbins has expressed concern at the effect changing carnival dates are having on the feature Warrnambool meeting.
Following last Sunday’s seventh running of the Jericho Cup, Gibbins said the fields at Warrnambool had suffered because the meeting was held the day after Zipping Classic day at Caulfield, which was run a fortnight after its traditional date.
“I’m a bit amazed,” he said. “They’ve tried to extend the spring carnival in Melbourne for another few weeks and it impacts on the Jericho Cup meeting.”
Gibbins pointed out that when the Jericho Cup was first run in 2017, it followed a minor Moonee Valley Saturday meeting.
“It’s quite staggering how everything has to be focused on Melbourne and country areas miss out.”
Gibbins, who missed last year’s Jericho Cup with kidney problems, was front and centre at last Sunday’s meeting after spending four hours on a dialysis machine at Warrnambool’s South West Healthcare on the Friday. He was back at the hospital on Monday for another dose before heading home to Melbourne on Tuesday.
Black-booker
Flying Fizz: I liked her effort to run second in the Twilight Glow Stakes last Saturday. The Warrnambool filly was jumping in company following maiden and benchmark 64 wins at her first two starts.