Magic Artist is set to make his Australian racing debut in the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes and trainer Andreas Wohler could not be happier with the imported galloper ahead of the Group 1 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Magic Artist brings a different form line into the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Magic Artist currently sits in 23rd position in the Mackinnon Stakes order of entry and only 18 horses will secure a place in the field, but the likes of Fenway, Thunder Lady and Gust Of Wind are considered unlikely to contest the race and the Waller stable are extremely keen to get Flamingo Star into the race and could opt to remove the likes of Moriarty, Hawkspur, Weary, Beaten Up or Index Linked.
The Iffraaj is yet to have a race start since he was transferred to the care of Wohler and the Melbourne Cup winning trainer admitted that the entire took a while to adjust to his training methods, but he believes that the Group 1 placegetter has thrived since arriving in Australia and is ready to run well in the 2015 Mackinnon Stakes – if he earns a place in the field.
“I got the horse when they (Australian Bloodstock) purchased the horse,” Wohler said.
“It took a bit of time, but now the horse gives me a great feeling and hopefully he gets a run on Saturday.
“He worked yesterday and it was really good.
“The horse is in great shape and I am really looking forward to when he gets a run.
“I think he will be in the mix and I couldn’t be happier with him at the moment.”
Magic Artist made his racing debut in Munich in July of 2013 and he has raced at Group level since he finished a close second in the Group 3 Zukunfts-Rennen (1407m) at Baden Baden in just his third race start.
He scored his maiden win at Stakes level when he took out the Bavarian Handicap (2000m) in June of last year and he made his Group 1 debut with a ninth behind finish behind the talented Sea The Moon in the Group 1 German Derby (2413m) before he finished fourth in both the Group 1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (2011m) and the Group 1 Premio Vittorio di Capua (1609m).
Magic Artist started his 2015 racing season with a win in the Group 3 Premio Ambrosiano (2012m) at Milan on April 19 and he finished a close second in the Group 1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica (2012m) at Rome on May 10.
The talented entire made the trip to the United States for the Group 1 Manhattan Stakes (2012m) at Belmont Park on June 6 and he was not disgraced in the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis on July 26.
Magic Artist is currently available at 2015 Mackinnon Stakes odds of $10 with Ladbrokes and he is on the fourth line of betting behind Fawkner ($6.50), Magic Hurricane ($6.50) and Stratum Star ($7.50).
You can score the best Mackinnon Stakes odds with Ladbrokes, who will offer Best Tote or Starting Price +20% for every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
