News In Brief
Magnum will step back to his pet distance on Saturday Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Magnum back to ideal distance
Former Singapore galloper Magnum will step back to his ideal distance on Saturday after finishing unplaced in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham last month.
The Lauren Brennan-trained six-year-old didn’t settle in the mile feature and his trainer believes he is better suited to the 1400m distance of Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa.
“He was a little keen early, Matt (Cameron, jockey) said he fought him a little bit,” Brennan said.
“There was no pace on and it wasn’t run to his liking. In saying that, I’m not 100 percent sure that he got the mile. He probably gets 1500m and the last 100m he struggles with.
“We are going to bring him back to the 1400m. I think that is his ideal distance and Michael Rodd will ride him in the BCD Sprint.”
Magnum has had three starts over 1400m in New Zealand, winning the Listed Flying Handicap at Awapuni last March before placing in the Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) and Gr.3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m).
Breeders’ Stakes likely for Miss Federer
Dual stakes winner Miss Federer was set to head to the spelling paddock after Saturday’s Gr.3 Woburn Farm 2YO Classic (1200m), but her brave victory in the race altered those plans.
It was a great result for trainer Andrew Carston, who entered his filly in the race as an alternative to the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last month after she tailed the field home in her previous start at Ellerslie.
“I felt like she deserved her chance to have a crack at a race like the Karaka Million. We went up there and the first run around Ellerslie was a complete disaster,” Carston said.
“We had her thoroughly checked out by vets after the race and nothing came of it. I found this race to drop back a grade and back to left-handed.”
Miss Federer has now returned to Stephen McKee’s Auckland property where Carston will assess whether she will press on to the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) later this month.
“I had her booked to go to Palmerston North for a couple of weeks off before I brought her home,” he said.
“But after winning, I changed my mind pretty quickly and sent her back to Stephen McKee’s in Auckland.
“She has had a couple of quiet days since Saturday, which she definitely needed after the run she had, but she’s eating everything that is being put in front of her, which is a good sign.
“I will go and have a look at her towards the end of the week and keep in touch with Stephen and decide whether or not we go to the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes.
“I will leave that up to the horse to decide.”
