Rock Magic to chase Melbourne Autumn Carnival Sprints

Perth trainer Chris Gangemi is considering a Melbourne Autumn Carnival campaign for Winterbottom Stakes third placegetter Rock Magic.

Rock Magic ran third to Takedown, above, in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Rock Magic ran third to Takedown, above, in the Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Gangemi said that Rock Magic put in a huge performance to finish just behind Takedown and Sheidel in the $1m Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last Saturday after having an interrupted preparation in the two weeks leading up to the weight for age Group 1 sprint.

Rock Magic had quartered his near fore heel and Gangemi was racing against time to have him fit for the Winterbottom Stakes but the seven year old was given the all clear when he past a vet’s test on race eve.

“It was a big team effort to get him there, but to be honest the majority was the horse,” Gangemi said on TABradio’s The Sports Daily.

“We didn’t even have him 100 per cent on race day, but he still put in big time and ran a huge race for us.

“He had a terrible two weeks leading into the race and I didn’t think he would get there to be honest.

“And then when he got to the race I didn’t think he would go any good so he deserves all the credit in the world.

“To still run like he did under the conditions showed a lot of heart and he has gone on to another level.”

Rock Magic will now spend several weeks in the paddock to fully recover from his hoof injury before Gangemi makes any definite plans for the Autumn.

“He is going to need three or four weeks in the paddock to get that heel right, so he won’t run in the Scahill Stakes,” Gangemi said.

“There are not a lot of races for him in Perth until next year’s carnival to be honest with perhaps only the Roma Cup in the next 12-months.

“We may look at going over east with him, but we are not exactly sure and pinpointed the races.

“Melbourne looks a better option and the preferred option and we will see if there are suitable races.”

Rock Magic started his career with Scone trainer Paul Messara and since he arrived in Perth in mid 2014 has been ridden predominately by Jarrad Noske with the pair posting seven wins together and he feels that the Redoute’s Choice gelding would handle the run down the Flemington straight.

“Jarrad (Noske) seems to think he would be pretty suited down the straight at Flemington the way he travels in a race,” Gangemi said.

Rock Magic is the winner of twelve of his thirty-five starts as well as eleven placings and has earned just over $809,000 in prizemoney.

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.