Vega Magic Ready to Rumble says Hayes

Posted on May 7, 2018 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Star WA-owned sprinter Vega Magic is on track to defend his Group 1 Goodwood Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville in a fortnight after an impressive hit out at Werribee on Monday.

The Lope De Vega gelding looked in top shape and appears to have fully recovered after cutting a leg in a paddock accident last year which forced him to miss the autumn carnival.

Ridden by Damien Oliver in an 1100m heat, Vega Magic, trained at Lindsey Park by Tom Dabernig and David and Ben Hayes, was untroubled in clearing away to a seven length victory.

“He was good and did it with his head on his chest,” Hayes told TABradio’s The Sports Daily.

“He looked fantastic and ran home the last furlong in 11 seconds and probably ran faster than the other 1100m heat.

“He looks fantastic in the coat and Oliver was really happy with the trial, I really couldn’t ask for any more.

“I think he is peaking and is over the accident completely, he is looking like he is ready to rumble, he’s really good.”

Vega Magic won eight races in Perth for previous trainer Sean Casey with his biggest scalps the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 A.J.Scahill Stakes (1400m).

Under the Hayes-Dabernig-Hayes combination Vega Magic has claimed dual Group 1 victories in the Goodwood (1200m) and Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

Vega Magic, who became the first horse to win the Goodwood first-up last year, has not raced since finishing seventh to Redzel in the Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington last November.

Craig Williams rode Vega Magic to victory in the Goodwood 12-months back but Perth-born jockey Damien Oliver has been booked for this year’s ride.

Oliver partners Vega Magic for the second time after guiding him to victory in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last year.

Vega Magic has won 12 races and been placed on four occasions from 20 starts with prizemoney of $3,504, 050.