Written by Paul Vettise
No, it wasn’t a Group 1 race and no, he may not stand in the way of Winx (Street Cry {IRE}) when she takes aim at a fourth consecutive G1 Cox Plate, but the connections of the evergreen Magic Consol (Consolidator {USA}) couldn’t care less.
They lived out their racing dream at Moonee Valley on Saturday when their much-loved veteran downed some of the biggest names in Australian racing.
Horsham’s pride and joy dented any number of reputations with a heart-stopping victory in the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam S. The 9-year-old gave age and a beating to a host of star stables and Melbourne spring carnival hopefuls with a personal best performance.
The only down-side to Magic Consol’s effort was that trainer Paul Preusker wasn’t at the Valley to celebrate his old-timer’s performance – he was at Morphettville with stablemate Arty Lucas (Lucas Cranach {GER}), who finished runner-up in a benchmark 70 event.
Unfortunately trainer Paul Preusker was not on track to see Magic Consul win the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes
“I’ve still got the shivers, that’s what it’s all about. He was nine weeks between runs, but he had quite a bit of residual fitness,” he said.
“I’ve still got the shivers, that’s what it’s all about. He was nine weeks between runs, but he had quite a bit of residual fitness.” Paul Preusker.
While the victory guaranteed Magic Consul a berth in the G1 Cox Plate - should they pay a late $200,000 entry fee - Preusker has doubts about Magic Consul taking up that Winx challenge. “I’ll talk to the owners, but I’ve said all along that 2000 metres gets to the bottom of him. We’ll toss it about though.”
Unraced since he won the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington in July, Magic Consol jumped well under rider Jordan Childs to sit one off the fence in fourth spot and went through his gears with 600 metres to run. He challenged and took control soon after straightening and wasn’t then to be denied.
The gelding stuck to his task gallantly to have a short head on Homesman (USA) (War Front {USA}), carrying the hopes of leviathan Melbourne owner Lloyd Williams, and the well-fancied Darren Weir runner Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}).
“It’s a great thrill and everyone says he’s a 9-year-old who’s doing things he shouldn’t.” - co-owner Peter McFarlane..
“It’s a great thrill and everyone says he’s a 9-year-old who’s doing things he shouldn’t,” co-owner Peter McFarlane said. “It’s been a great effort by Paul and Holly and their staff. I don’t know about the Cox Plate though.”
McFarlane races Magic Consul with Barb Marshman, who understandably was over the moon. “It’s incredible, I didn’t really think a 9-year-old would measure up.”
Pedigree Notes
Magic Consol’s dam Shally’s Magic (Shalford {IRE}) was a six-time winner and has produced three winners. Her mother Spirit Of Voodoo Rhythm {USA}) was unraced and four of her foals have been successul, including the Group 3 performer Spot Of Magic (Military Plume {NZ}).
Group 1 form appears in the pedigree through the presences of the Thousand Guineas winner Mnemosyne (Encosta de Lago), Stradbroke H., winner Impending (Lonhro) and the multiple top-flight winner Drawn (Star Shower).
