Downpours over the Waikato will rule out a return for Magnum
Cambridge trainer Lauren Brennan is keeping close tabs on the Waikato weather forecast as she prepares former Singapore galloper Magnum for a return to racing.
Brennan has the Per Incanto sixyear-old entered for the Allied Security 1200 at Te Rapa tomorrow, but doesn’t want to see any downpours.
“He can go on a slow8, but anything worse than that is no good to him,” Brennan said. “He showed that in the Easter. Rain is forecast and if it turns to a heavy track on Saturday he won’t run. He’s really well and ready to run.”
Magnum came into Brennan’s stable after winning four races and earning more than $350,000 in Singapore. A smart sprinter, he was five times stakes placed.
He has had four starts for Brennan and broke through for his first win from the stable when taking the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) at Awapuni last March.
He stepped up to 1600m in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie but, like a lot of horses that day, he failed to handle the testing heavy10 track and finished unplaced.
“He had a month out after that and I’ve been slowly building him up.”
As part of that build-up, Magnum has joined other members of the Brennan team being taken over to work on the trial track at Te Rapa.
Magnum won over 900 metres at the Te Rapa trials on July 17 and holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings.
Magnum will be ridden tomorrow by Sam Spratt, taking over from Jason Waddellwho has a firm commitment to the exciting Julius, the favourite and unbeaten in his last three starts.
Brennan has already enjoyed success this week, having produced impressive maiden winner English Gambler at Tauranga on Wednesday.
“The way he accelerated at the top of the straight was impressive,” Brennan said.