Magnus sprinter Rey Magnerio will aim for Group I status after scoring his biggest win to date in the Group II Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday,
A winner of the Always Welcome Stakes (LR) over the Flemington carnival last November, Rey Magnerio was resuming for his autumn prep and was forced to do it tough sitting three wide without cover outside the lead.
He was able to sustain a determined, and impressive, effort however to beat favourite Insurrection (Russian Revolution) by a head with Prairie Flower (Star Turn) third.
The win takes his record to eight wins, four seconds, and three thirds from 18 starts with earnings of $829,100.
“The draw was a bit awkward but with moderate speed we landed three wide outside them,” said winning rider Jye McNeil.
“It was more beneficial to be a bit closer.”
“Looking at the way his form finished in the spring and how he has come back, you would think he’s going to be right in the thick of things in an Oakleigh Plate,” said trainer Ribbie Griffiths.
“It was always the plan to go there and then the Newmarket, so he’s kicked it off the right way today.”
A three-quarter brother to the Group III Naturalism Stakes winner Magnapal, Rey Magnerio is the best of two winners from three to race for the Testa Rossa mare Luchardo, sister to stakes-placed Red For Lou, the dam of Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Le Chef.
Luchardo has a yearling filly by Star Witness, foaled a colt by Shamus Award last spring and was covered by Zousain.
Rey Magnerio is the 30th black-type winner for the late Widden Stud stallion Magnus, who died in 2023.
