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Classy Sprinters Trial At Randwick

3 minute read

Classy sprinters Music Magnate and Chetwood will command high interest when they appear in barrier trials at Randwick on Thursday.

Chetwood, tabbed as a future Group One winner in our “Ten To Follow in 2017”, will step out in the fifth heat of the morning over 1050m while Music Magnate is down to trial over 740m in then tenth heat.

It will be the first trial for the Bjorn Baker-trained Music Magnate since he returned to work while Chetwood has had the benefit of a 900m trial at Rosehill on December 20 where he finished a hard held second.

Music Magnate
Music Magnate Picture: Racing and Sports

Music Magnate, winner of the G1 Doomben Ten Thousand in Brisbane last season, has not raced since he failed in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June.

He was forced to miss the spring after contracting a virus early in his preparation.

Baker is eager to see Music Magnate perform in Thursday’s trial as it will help him determine the path he takes with the sprinter in the early autumn.

The five-year-old He has the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes (12o0m) at Randwick on April 1 as his ultimate autumn target but whether he heads south for the feature sprints in Melbourne beforehand is yet to be decided.

"He's been back in work for a couple of weeks and we're very happy with him." Baker said.

"The horse looks great and he's moving well. I'm very much looking forward to seeing him trial.

"The form around him held up pretty well through the spring so I think we have to aim big.”

It would be a surprise if John O’Shea doesn’t have the Melbourne sprints in mind for Chetwood, whose five wins from his first seven starts already include wins in Newcastle’s G3 Cameron Handicap (1350M) and the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield at his last spring start in October.

Chetwood
Chetwood Picture: Racing and Sports

The Exceed And Excel four-year-old is drawn in the strongest heat of the morning as his rivals include his stablemates Magic Hurricane, Shoepeg and Pygmy and Joe Pride’s quality sprinter Target In Sight.

Imported stayer Magic Hurricane, winner of the G1 ATC Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, has not raced since he failed in his bid to win that race for a second time in October.

O’Shea is sending a big team of horses to the Randwick trials with others including his G3 placed three-year-old Honeywine and the Listed South Pacific Classic winner Handfast.


Racing and Sports

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