12 Mar 2017
Promising Tavistock stayer Magstock rocketed home with a flying finish to take out the $80,000 Kranji Stakes C race over 1600m on Sunday.
Backed into favouritism, the Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan-bred four-year-old was held up at the rear throughout the contest with jockey Michael Rodd taking his time as they rolled along at the head of affairs.
Magstock only started to improve noticeably from the 600m before really going through his gears as he was angled to the outside of the track at the point of turn.
Upfront, Nazir was mounting his challenge and hit the front but it all came back to nothing when Magstock arrived onto the scene to stamp his authority once Rodd set him alight. He went on to record a soft win in the end, saluting the judge with half a length to spare.
Trainer Cliff Brown had always held a high opinion of Magstock but said immaturity had impeded his progress.
"There was good pace on paper today and that suited him down to the ground," Brown said.
"Credit to the people who own him. This horse has had his runs well spaced as I thought he was always a bit immature, and their patience has been rewarded.
"He's a horse who keeps developing and I think he's a really nice horse. We will just have to keep him fresh."
Rodd was also full of praise for the Cambridge Stud product.
"The fast tempo helped him. They were rocking along and I was happy with where he was," Rodd said.
"The wide barrier was not too bad for him as he is a long horse with a long-striding action and I knew the leaders would come back to me. He had the fresh legs and he won like the good horse he is."
Magstock has now won four of his 15 starts for stakes earnings that are now just a tick below the $S200,000 mark. - Michael Lee, Singapore Turf Club