Hall Of Fame jockey Damien Oliver can see the good track conditions and the inside barrier suiting race favourite Magic Artist in the Group 1 $1m Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Jockey Damien Oliver thinks that conditions will suit Magic Artist in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Magic Artist came up with barrier one in the sixteen horse final field and Oliver said that he will take advantage of that and have the German galloper positioned close to the pace.
On Super Saturday a fortnight ago, the Ascot track was a clear on pace paradise with both Group 1 winners leading all of the way.
The Robert Heathcote trained Buffering won his second Group 1 $1m Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) from the front and the Chris Waller trained Good Project was never headed after Craig Williams took him to the front in the Group 1 $1m Railway Stakes (1600m).
Oliver said that if the track plays out the same on Saturday, the inside gate will be a huge advantage.
“He’s the type of horse that can take advantage of that, particularly if the track races like it did last week when it was hard to make ground, you’d think it’d be a good draw for him,” Oliver told racing.com.
“He was able to hold a reasonable position in the Mackinnon.”
“The mile, they probably beat him a bit for speed, but the 1800m at Ascot should be ideal with him – especially with a month between runs.
“He’s had time to freshen up, he likes firm ground too, so he’s got a bit in his favour.”
Magic Artist heads to Perth on the back of two fourths at Group 1 level at Flemington over the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Andres Wohler trained five year old finished one length behind Gailo Chop when fourth in the Group 1 $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) followed by a one and a half length fourth to Turn Me Loose in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m).
Oliver will be the third jockey to partner Magic Artist this campaign with Brenton Avdulla steering him around in the Mackinnon Stakes and Blake Shinn taking the ride in the Emirates Stakes.
Magic Artist is holding his spot at the top of the market order for the Kingston Town Classic at Ladbrokes.com.au and is the $3.90 favourite just ahead of Grant Williams’ unbeaten filly Perfect Reflection at $4.40.
Local mares Delicacy and Real Love share the next line of betting at $6 ahead of Perth’s top performer Black Heart Bart at $8.
Kingston Town Classic market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.90 Magic Artist, $4.40 Perfect Reflection, $6 Delicacy, Real Love, $8 Black Heart Bart, $15 Neverland, $17 Man Booker, $21 Extra Zero, Balmont Girl, Blackwood, Hazzabeel, $34 London Line, $67 Tower Of Lonhro, $101 Bass Strait, $126 Dark Musket, $151 Woodsville.
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