3 minute read
It would surprise nobody to learn trainer Scott Singleton is a little frustrated with the run of seconds his smart mare Dollar Magic is experiencing and he hopes Saturday is the day she can go one better.
Seven of the five-year-old's last 10 starts have resulted in second placings along with two country wins and a third placing.
Scott Singleton said there's certainly no doubting Dollar Magic's resolve and has the fingers crossed she can shake the bridesmaid tag in the Chandon Handicap (1000m) at Randwick.
"A lot of times when you get horses like that they're letting one beat them a lot of them but she's busting her gut and just running into one better,'' Singleton said.
"You can't help but be happy with her but it's more heartbreaking. It'd be nice for the horse to knock one off, she deserves one."
Dollar Magic, $5 with TAB on Thursday, was beaten by the bob of the head at Warwick Farm second-up then was ambushed by Marnix after leading over 1200m at Randwick.
Her last two have been at Rosehill and in the first there was trouble in the gates and she had to be dug up early then two weeks ago was involved in a speed battle only to be run down on the line by Legio Ten.
"I thought that was the best she's gone last start and watching it live she actually went through the line and still got beaten,'' he said.
"They burnt through the first half and she had one attacking her three deep, one on the fence and her in the middle.
"She was up in it for a fair while and probably set the race up for the winner.
"I thought it was a solid enough race and she showed she's well and truly up to winning one of them, it's just a matter of things going her way. Luck's got to turn around sooner or later."
Reece Jones once again rides Dollar Magic and Singleton said with the potential for good speed in the 1000m scamper he'd hope she can find a stalking spot without being used up as she was last time.
He said her work since that last run has been exceptional and it gives him confidence she's going to be competitive at the very least once again.
"Once she was out of the speed battle she settled, she did everything perfectly but there was one better on the day,'' he said.
"Reece should be able to give her the right run from that barrier. They should roll along so hopefully she can get a little bit of cover behind them.
"She has a fair bit of natural speed but I don't think over 1000m in front would be the best place to be. Just let two or three go and give yourself the best run.
"There's no reason why she can't go just as well or better."
The Scone trainer is readying at least three horses for the 2024 Newhaven Park Country Championships series – lightly raced mare Melody Again, hardy gelding Russley Crown and a promising filly called One Beat No Beat.
The Hunter & North West Country Championships is run at Tamworth on March 10.
"Melody Again is back in work and is in terrifc shape,'' he said.
"She probably doesn't have to get too many points to get herself in. Russley Crown has been put away and will come back for it.
"One Beat No Beat is pretty handy, she might be better than them all. She's back at the right time to get ready for it if we think she's seasoned enough to go there."
Russley Crown narrowly missed a berth in the 2023 Final when he was run down by Talbragar in the Northern Wild Card run at Scone.
