Just Plain Magic
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Plain Magic holds on desperately for her first Black Type and third victory in a row (Noel Pascoe photo)
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With the level of pre-race talk about Chakvetadze ahead of the $100,000 Listed XXXX Gold Nudgee F&M Handicap punters would be forgiven for thinking the result was done and dusted on Saturday, January 23.
However Plain Magic had other intentions at Eagle Farm in a pristine performance with Jim Byrne in the saddle over the 1200 metre trip to mark three wins on the trot for the Kelly Schweida-trained four-year-old.
The mare, by Magic Albert out of Glow Misty for Me, has had a golden run of late for owner and Brisbane Racing Club chairman Kevin Dixon with this victory following her triumph in the $200,000 Magic Millions F&M Quality on January 9.
Plain Magic has improved her win strike rate markedly with six from 14 starts, and as a result her career prizemoney has skyrocketed to a healthy $341,950, which includes $42,000 in QTIS added stakes.
The performance from the mare was mighty and ended an unbeaten run of seven race wins for Chakvetadze who faltered under the 57.5 kilograms and the month’s rest in between starts.
“It was a really hot field, Alverta and Chakvetadze with seven out of seven, they’re always hard to beat,” Schweida said.
“You’ve got to take on them sooner or later…I’d prefer later, but it gave us a little bit of a guide for the (Queensland Winter Racing) Carnival.”
Schweida will take it one step at a time, however, will give Plain Magic ample opportunity to add to her Black Type win.
After another $100,000 fillies and mares 1200 metre race at Doomben on February 6, the four-year-old will be aimed at the Listed Silk Stocking on the Gold Coast, and then if she found another length or two, possibly the Group 1 Winter Stakes in June
Chakvetadze was placed positively from the jump out of gate one by jockey Larry Cassidy who was unchallenged for the lead.
Byrne sat Plain Magic just on the pacesetter’s shoulder, but noted the ominous task that stood in front of him.
“I was pretty open-minded. We did discuss Chakvetadze going out and leading, but I actually thought Lilleelavee would do it and that we would get a bit slower tempo,” Byrne said.
“When Chakvetadze has led, you tend to think you’ve got a horse in front of you that’s never been beaten before, so what’s the chink in the armour?
“I pressed a little earlier than I probably should have and put a bit of pressure on Chakvetadze at the top of the straight to try and ensure the horse was going to fold.”
The brave move from Byrne applied the blow torch to Chakvetadze who crumbled early, which left Plain Magic open to assaults from the fast finishing field down the Eagle Farm straight.
Kryptelon, ridden by Joe Bowditch for the David Kelly stable, almost stole a hard fought victory from Plain Magic failing by a short half head which required the judge to split the pair in a photo.
This would have marked an incredible day for Kelly who walked away from Eagle Farm with two wins that book ended his ‘near thing’ second in the Nudgee Handicap. Bugsytwoshoes saluted with Byrne in the saddle in the Functions @ BRC Two Metro Wins Last Year Handicap 1812m and Giorgio was guided by Stathi Katsidis in the Lyndhurst Stud No Metro Wins Handicap 1600m.
Gold Coast-based Kelly also picked up a victory on his home track on the same day with Dreaming Cash (Chris Whiteley).
Kryptelon was far from alone in applying pressure to the weary Plain Magic with Kristy Banks enjoying a late rails run on last start winner Lilleelavee, only to have third place pinched by the topweight Alverta (Shane Scriven).
“Probably the most pleasing thing out of Saturday’s run was that she toughed it out,” Schweida said. “They were there to beat her at the 100m and she toughed it out to the line.
“It was a long straight and I felt every bit of it with her.”
Race favourite Chakvetadze ($2.15) finished a disappointing sixth to only beat home 301/1 shot Welcome Site.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Ross Dowd – January 25
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