Grahame Begg is banking on an early morning trip being the catalyst for C’Est Magique finding winning form again.
A debut winner on the synthetic track at Pakenham in August last year, C’est Magique has raced exclusively in Stakes company in her five subsequent starts.
Her seventh career start on Saturday comes in the Group 3 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield where she is the $3.80 favourite with online betting site swiftbet.
C’est Magique has finished in the placings three times in ‘Black Type’ races, most recently when third to Star Patrol in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 7.
In a bid to increase the mare’s fitness levels, Begg took C’est Magique to Caulfield on Tuesday to gallop in a different environment.
“We took her over on Tuesday morning to stimulate her a little bit,” Begg said.
“I’m happy with how she came through her last start and she’s improving with every run.
“She’s such a big, strong, imposing girl, so it’s taken a bit to get her fit because she’s such a great doer.Empire Rose Stakes
“It was good to take her over for a gallop. You can’t simulate what we were able to do working at home.
“She needed a bit of stimulation which is great, a trip away on the float to get the juices flowing.”
Begg wants to try C’est Magique over a 1400m on Saturday as a view to whether to step her up in journey for the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on November 4 of come back in journey.
“She’s going to the 1400 metres for the first time in her career, so that will be interesting, but a good surface on Saturday, it should be perfect,” Begg said.
“She’s given me the indication that she will run it. She’s been a little fresh in her first couple of runs, but we feel the 1400 metres will be ideal for her.”
