Winner of the Group I Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville at his first start for the Lindsay Park team, former Perth star Vega Magic staked his claim for a place in the $10 million Everest (1200m) with a fighting win in Saturday's Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The 5yo son of Lope de Vega raced three wide the trip under Damien Oliver before taking control in the straight.
He held the challenge of Australian Bloodstock's Japanese import Brave Smash (Tosen Phantom) by a long-neck with Santa Ana Lane (Lope de Vega) four and a quarter length back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer)
Connections of the runner-up would have been thrilled by his Australian debut.
The Darren Weir-trained entire was tardy getting into stride and only had two behind him on the turn. Saving ground along the rail, Brave Smash loomed as a definite threat inside the 200 metres but was being held by the winner on the line.
Brave Smash would also add a good deal of interest to the Everest.
The admirably consistent Vega Magic advances his overall record to 11 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third from 16 starts with earnings of $1,432,050.
"That's a massive effort to win and give the second horse all that weight (six kilograms), " Hayes, who trains Vega Magic in partnership with son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, said.
"It's been a fantastic day but this horse was terrific - he didn't get many favours from the wide gate and with the 60 kilos.
"He got attacked late by a proper horse from Japan so it was a good effort."
Oliver said Vega Magic lifted when challenged by Brave Smash.
"It was a good effort out there on his own and carrying the big weight," Oliver said.
"The second horse really challenged him inside the final furlong but he held him off well. I could feel him coming and my bloke was just waiting a little bit but when I got stuck into him he really responded."
Vega Magic was bred by his owners, brothers Wally and George Daly, who sent their Magic Albert mare Admirable to Lope De Vega (IRE) in all four seasons he stood at Patinack.
Vegas Magic is the first of those foals, the second, 4yo filly Vega Dior, has raced once, the third, a filly, died after birth and the fourth is a 2yo colt.
A winner herself over 1000 metres at Ascot, Admirable won or placed in five of her seven starts.
Her granddam, Starlight Express, is a sister to Century Miss, the 1979 Group 1 Golden Slipper heroine who is the granddam of Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint winner Natural Blitz.
