Why Robbie Loves Magnus

Mark Smith - Friday February 1

Back in October last year Robbie Griffiths claimed that he had trained 16 horses by Magnus and all were winners - you can add at least one more to the tally after pint-sized chestnut filly Magnicity broke her maiden over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Advertisement


Making her first start in 12 weeks after a pair of midfield efforts at Caulfield in the Listed Inglis Debutant Stakes and Flemington in the Group III Ottawa Stakes in her first preparation, Magnicity had the unenviable task of taking the field up to Godolphin's speedball Vivaro.

Under pressure well before the home turn, Magnicity did not flinch under hard riding by Jye McNeil to edge Vivaro (Exceed And Excel) by three-quarters of a length with Sayumi (Sebring) a short-neck back in third.

"It was a really good effort because she came here off one soft trial and we chased a really strong speed," McNeil said.

"I thought she toughed it out really well to the line.

"I don't see a lot of difference with her physically, she might be a little stronger but she is still very small, but she is a very strong-minded horse and very good-natured, that's a key for her."

The daughter of Magnus was purchased by Griffiths Racing / CB Bloodstock for $70,000 from the Edinburgh Park draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale after Edinburgh Park has pinhooked her for $40,000 at the 2017 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

A three-quarter sister to Listed ATC James Carr Stakes winner Missy Cummings (Magnus), Magnicity is the third foal and first winner out of the 4-time winning Exceed And Excel mare A City Girl who is a daughter of the triple Listed stakes-winner Lady Knockout (Serheed).

One of Victoria's most popular stallions, Group 1 Galaxy Stakes winner Magnus covered 159 mares at Sun Stud last spring at a fee of $19,800.

Advertisment
More Reading...
A Century of National Yearling Sales Success: Melbourne Cup
There are many great events and coveted prizes on the Australian racing calendar, but no others capture attention quite like the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
DIY Pedigrees for Melbourne Cup – Take the Tip!
If you are having trouble settling on your Melbourne Cup horses a look at pedigree might be a help, so take a flick through our five generation pedigrees for all Cup runners and we’re giving you a clue as to what to look for!
2YOs on Show - Flemington Sale Mail
Cup Day at Flemingto will kick off with the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) which has attracted a big field of juveniles including some unraced blueblood homebred babies for Godolphin and Yulong as well as the highest priced yearling by first crop sire Pinatubo (IRE).
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Melbourne Cup
The greatest day in Australian racing, nay in Australian sport is upon us - Cup Eve is better than Christmas Eve!
Kemalpasa Takes Revenge on Behemoth in Durbridge Stakes
Two of South Australia’s finest faced off for the second time in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday and it was Kemalpasa who reversed the decision over his old foe Behemoth.
A Wet Melbourne Cup Has a Certain Kind of Magic
Wet Melbourne Cups have a different character, and are often memorable... and we might just see one on Tuesday! 
White Robe Lodge to Cheer Smokin' Romans
Group One winner Smokin’ Romans will aim to extend his breeder Brian Anderton’s successful run in the Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he takes his place in the iconic Flemington feature on Tuesday afternoon.
Magnus Gelding Kemalpasa Rewarded for His Consistency
They don’t come much more honest than the 4yo Magnus gelding Kemalpasa who took his record to seven wins from his last 10 starts when opening his stakes account in Saturday’s Listed Durbridge Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Tara Talks Racing - Melbourne Cup Tips
If you are a racing tragic and horse lover like Clocker and I, Melbourne Cup Eve is as good as it gets, so have a listen to our thoughts and you can put the pen through our very dodgy tips or add them to your multiples!
G1 Breeders Cup Winner for Almanzor
Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (FR) has been firing in the Northern Hemisphere this year and one of his star performers has been French Oaks winner Gezora, who raised the bar again at Del Mar on Sunday when taking out the Group I Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare (1m3f).