Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig is hoping the Randwick track doesn’t get any worse than a Soft 7 for the stable’s star sprinter Vega Magic for Saturday’s Group 1 $2.5m Aquis T J Smith Stakes (1200m).

Vega Magic, above, is resuming in the 2019 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Vega Magic, above, is resuming in the 2019 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Randwick track was rated a Soft 7 on the eve of Day One of The Championships after receiving 39mm of rain in the last seven days.

Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David and Ben Hayes, said Vega Magic’s best form was on top of the ground and he was hoping the Randwick surface won’t get any more significant rain and force a down grade of the track.

“The ground could be a slight query and we wouldn’t want it any softer than a Soft 7,” Dabernig said.

Vega Magic is the winner of two Group 1 races in 2017, the $1m Darley Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville and the 1 $1m New Zealand Bloodstock Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, but hasn’t raced since finishing last of twelve on a heavy track in the $13m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick during the 2018 Sydney Spring Carnival.

Dabernig has reported that Vega Magic has come to hand in great shape and was a winner of a 1045m Randwick barrier trial on March 29.

“He looks to have come up well and really happy with his recent work,” Tom Dabernig said.

“He trialled well in Sydney in the lead up to this.”

Vega Magic has a very good first up record with four wins and two seconds from eight attempts and the Lindsay Park Team have taken the blinkers off and put the winkers back on for his return to the race track.

Damien Oliver is back aboard Vega Magic who has drawn barrier three in the eleven horse T J Smith Stakes field and the six year old chestnut is marked at $18 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Last year’s T J Smith Stakes winner Trapeze Artist is currently sharing favouritism at $4.60 with the James Cummings trained Osborne Bulls ahead of Pierata at $6 and Santa Ana Lane at $7.50.

Dual Everest winner Redzel and multiple Group 1 winning filly Sunlight are on the next line of betting at $8.50.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.