Cox Plate invitation
Wimmera owners of Horsham-bred Magic Consol are weighing up their options after a head-turning result on Saturday qualified the horse for an invitation to next month’s Cox Plate.
Joint owner Peter Mcfarlane of Horsham said the opportunity to race a country horse against high-profile stables and runners such as racing sensation Winx was tantalising.
But he added there was a need to be realistic about the nineyear-old horse’s potential as well as all other circumstances involved in having a runner in the Cox Plate.
“It’s great to be in this position and we’re really chuffed,” he said.
“But we’re basically looking at alternatives at the moment.
“He’s pretty much a 1600-metre horse and the 2000-metre distance at Group 1 level might be a bit far and considering the field it will be a lot quicker and a lot more pressure. We have to think about the horse.”
Magic Consol, which started the race at $19, came off a twomonth spell to win the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes at The Valley.
In the process the horse beat highly fancied gallopers such as Hartnell, Homesman, Ambitious and Night’s Watch.
The win represented one of the biggest for Horsham trainer Paul Preusker.
Mcfarlane, who owns the horse with Barb Marshman, was full of praise for the horseman.
“It’s a credit to Paul to where the horse is and what he’s doing with the horse. Everyone involved has done a great job,” Mcfarlane said.
“For a locally bred, locally owned and locally trained horse – Paul, Holly Mckechnie and staff have put in a lot of hours and a lot of work.”
Magic Consul is a dual Horsham Cup winner, but Saturday’s race was the runner’s first at Group 2 level.
Mcfarlane bred the horse from Shally’s Magic, which he also raced, and little-known sire Consolidator.
“To get down there in the big time is a real eye-opener. While the prizemoney is good, that’s not what you race horses for and any winnings you get helps pay back what’s required,” he said.
“Magic Consol has well and truly paid for himself.”