Classy Mark Kavanagh-trained three-year-old Magicool has stamped his claims as a serious Victoria Derby contender at Flemington this afternoon, displaying a keen turn of foot in the final straight to win the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m).
Magicool displayed a strong turn of foot to win the 2014 UCI Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Jumping from the gates well, the Fastnet Rock gelding settled in prime position on the heels of early leader Hawking before allowing Eastern Cape to take up a position in front.
Rounding the bend in prime position, Magicool quickly spooled up and shot to the front of the pack, maintaining a strong enough sprint to withstand a late charge from Atmosphere; War Point running on for third.
Veteran jockey Glen Boss partnered Magicool in the 2014 UCI Stakes and was quick to lay the praise on the classy three-year-old after admitting to have made early mistakes.
“I know it’s silly but when he won his maiden I said he’s my Derby horse,” Boss said immediately after the race.
“We took him to Geelong next time and he was looking for a trip already. The best thing he showed there was that he can really stay.
“I basically stuffed that up a lot – I got there way too soon, he was going a bit easy for me and the leader started to drop off and he got there a mile too far from home.
“I’ve had a lot of confidence in this horse ever since I first rode him, he’s a beautifully bred colt and everything he does on track says he wants to stay.
“He’s going the right direction to say he’ll be here on Derby Day.”
Kavanagh was understandably pleased with Magicool’s victory in the 2014 UCI Stakes and confirmed the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) will figure as the final point of call ahead of the Victoria Derby.
“These Fastnet Rocks, when you cross them over to Galileo mares and they’re very, very stout you can get a very good turn of foot on a stayer,” Kavanagh said after the UCI Stakes.
“He rode him confident didn’t he, it was really good. He stargazed a bit at the end – this is his first race in town, we’ve only had him in the country so there’s a fair bit of upside there.”
Securing his second race win in taking out the 2014 UCI Stakes, Magicool has finished worse than second just once in his four career starts to date.
