Perth trainer Chris Gangemi is confident that talented sprinter Rock Magic has the ability to cause a big upset in Friday night’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
Rock Magic has been a strong and consistent performer since he arrived in Gangemi’s care from Paul Messara’s stable in 2014, but the talented gelding arguably found his best form to date through the recent spring and summer in Perth; capped with an impressive third behind Takedown and Sheidel in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
Gangemi had initially underlined the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill over the weekend as the first target for Rock Magic this time, but the gelding pulled up sore after a strong barrier trial and subsequently missed his flight to the east coast.
The Ascot horseman told Racing Victoria that missing the heavy going at Rosehill on Saturday could have been a blessing in disguise for Rock Magic and he is confident that the horse is ready to perform well in the William Reid Stakes.
“Our original plan was to get him across for The Galaxy but he didn’t eat up as well as what we would’ve liked after his trial here so we kept him at home,” Gangemi said.
“He had a few easy days to recover and he hasn’t missed a beat since so we come over really happy with him.
“It was probably a blessing in disguise that we didn’t come over earlier because we wouldn’t have run him on the Heavy 10 at Rosehill last weekend.
“We identified this race because, being so close to the T.J. Smith in Sydney, it can sometimes be a smaller field but looking at the nominations it’s shaping as a really strong race this year.
“It’s not going to be easy and to be honest, the owners and I are just excited to have a runner in a feature Group 1 race like this.
“But in saying that, he won’t disgrace himself and his form in our biggest sprints over the summer, particularly his placing in the Winterbottom, warranted a trip across.”
Rock Magic has only missed a placing twice in seven first-up starts; a record which has also included three race wins.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding is currently perched on the seventh line of William Reid Stakes betting with Ladbrokes Australia at healthy $15 odds.