MAGNUS – STILL TIME FOR THE LADIES

Eliza Park International stallion, Magnus, made a splash on one of Australia’s biggest race days with a win to Backstedt in the lucky last and an eye-catching display by Pompeius in the Listed Connoisseur Stakes on the Oaks program at Flemington.

Trainer Frankie Stockdale would undoubtedly have been ecstatic with the performance of his flashy 3YO, Pompeius, who had to do all the work up front and yet held on gamely in a fight to the wire after being headed by Surge Ahead.

It’s worth remembering that the lightly raced colt was racing in a Bairnsdale Maiden just three weeks ago and clearly relished the step up to 1800m.

Bred by Grenville Stud in Tasmania, Stockdale snapped up the colt – who is out of the Palace Music mare, Caesars – for $46,000.

Meanwhile, Magnus first cropper, Backstedt showed he is a class act – particularly over a mile – by taking out the @Flemington VRC Vase with a barnstorming finish.

The David Hayes trained 4YO has now compiled four wins and five placings from 13 outings and, like many of the Magnus’s, appears to be just getting better with age.

“One of the most amazing things about Magnus is his versatility,” Eliza Park International’s Sales & Nominations manager, Mark Lindsay points out. “He was an out and out speedster (winning the Group One Galaxy and other major sprinters) and yet recently he had a winner (Magnus Reign) over 955m at the Valley and another who broke a class record for 2100m (Magnetron).

“He’s had very good 2YOs of course – 5-time stakes winner, Platinum Kingdom, being a shining example – but they really do appear to be coming into their own as 4YOs. They’re real trainers’ horses, that’s for sure.

“And for those broodmare owners who think that November is too late to be breeding, it’s worth keeping in mind that Backstedt’s dam (Lycra) had a last service date of 26 November.”

For further information, phone Mark Lindsay on 0416 334 338 or Phil Marshall on 0407 853 782.