Trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock are banking on a shorter trip and the addition of blinkers proving beneficial for Magic Mogul at Sandown.
The Showdown (1200m) and the $1 million prize money it has on offer on Saturday will be the next port of call for Magic Mogul who was narrowly beaten on debut at Sandown on March 29.
A gelded son of Written Tycoon, Magic Mogul did not know what racing was about on debut when he led and was run down on the line.
“He was a little bit lost on debut in front so he will race will blinkers first time on Saturday and has worked well in them,” Griffiths said.
“Coming back in trip, it won’t worry him. He’ll be sharpened up, and he will be very fit.
“We think coming back to a place that he has already seen will be a massive advantage for a horse that was looking around a lot on debut.”
Griffiths explained Magic Mogul was gelded before racing as he was reluctant to work but was now a different horse who applies himself.
“He wouldn’t go when he was a colt. He was the slowest thing in the world, which was just a focus thing,” Griffiths said.
“We’re confident after his first start that he will take another step, whether that is good enough to win a Showdown we don’t know, but we’re confident he can train on.”
Griffiths said The Showdown had been in the planning for Magic Mogul prior to his debut.
He said an easy 1300m contest, in a small field, on debut would have the gelding fit for the drop back in distance, and if Magic Mogul performs up to expectations, the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on April 25 would be his next assignment.
Magic Mogul is one of 17 two-year-olds that have been entered for Saturday’s race that is for Super VOBIS horses sired by a stallion that was standing in Victoria when the resulting horse was conceived.