Toowoomba trainer Tony Sear’s decision to scrap plans to try Magic Trick over longer distances proved a winner at Doomben.
Sears had a long-range plan to get Magic Trick up to distances as far as 1600m after the gelding showed some indications of wanting further in his races as a two-year-old.
“But we tried him at 1350m and he just didn’t run out the trip. Even at 1200m he was only just fair at his last start when second at the Gold Coast,” Sears said.
“So we decided to bring him back to pure sprints and I have been training him that way. It seems to be the right decision.
“He can keep chasing QTIS bonus money while some of the better horses are still out.”
Magic Trick ($12) showed his liking for the shorter distance finishing powerfully to beat Chill The Beer ($9.50) by three quarters of a length in the TAB Handicap (1050m).
Winning jockey Michael Cahill agreed that Magic Trick had been suited by a fast early pace and the shorter distance.
“It was a good training effort from Tony because not many horses can keep coming back in distance and win,” he said.
