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      April 21, 2013
      CALL ME MR MAGNUS

      It’s certainly been a big weekend for boom sire, Magnus.
      Around the time his close relation, Black Caviar, was getting waved goodbye at Caulfield, Magnus’ WA-bred, Kiwi-trained 3YO, Platinum Kingdom put in a brilliant performance in the South Pacific Classic-LR at Randwick – his first run in Australia.

      Despite the heavy surface and carrying topweight, the 3-time stakes winner back in New Zealand won with a panel to spare despite veering out wildly in the closing stages.

      Then, on Sunday in South Australia, it was Magnusificent’s turn: sent out a $2.70 favourite over 1000m, the Darryl Dodson trained 3YO scored by an ever widening 3.1 lengths.

      The win had special significance, again lifting Magnus to the head of the Australian Second Season Sires’ chart by winners … and with a much superior strike rate to that of his nearest rival.

      But it was north of the equator that had a lot of tongues wagging when Mr Magnus (below) established his bona fides as a Group One S$500,000 Singapore Guineas contender by notching up a gusty win in the Gingerbread Graduation over 1400m at Kranji last night.

      The leaders had stole a march on the Magnus 3YO turning for home, but the manner in which he knuckled down to eke out a thrilling win gave trainer Stephen Gray the belief, Mr Magnus, can go all the way in the 17 May Group One.

      “It’s off to the Guineas now,” said Gray. “And he’s going to love the mile and will get even further later on.

      “He’s had a lovely preparation for the Guineas. We’ve looked after him and taken the easier options with him and I know what it takes to win the Guineas.

      “I’ve prepared horses specifically for certain big races before and have been successful and this horse has been prepared for the Guineas all the way through.”

      Jockey Joao Moreira said Mr Magnus would relish the extra journey of the Guineas and believes the gelding will be a good ride in the race: “No doubt the longer distance is going to be good for him in the Guineas,” said Moreira.

      “He really had to dig deep to run down the two leaders and I really liked the way he did so in the end.”

      Magnus progeny have now campaigned in three countries with his only two starters outside these shores being Platinum Kingdom and Mr Magnus. Now wonder they are popular with buyers across the bench.

      Interestingly, despite the fact Magnus was a Group One winning sprinter, his runners are all training on and, in numerous cases, are showing plenty of ability over a mile and further!