Rock Magic won the 2015 Colonel Reeves Stakes, and he is a live chance to win the 2020 edition and become the first 11-year-old galloper to be victorious in an Australasian Group race since El Chico’s 2015 Stewards Stakes Handicap success.
El Chico made headlines not only in New Zealand but also around the world when his 121st start resulted in him defying odds of 50-1 to take out the Group Three-level 2015 Stewards Stakes Handicap over 1,200 metres at Riccarton. El Chico’s upset triumph occurred five years ago this week when the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding was 11 years and 26 days old. El Chico backed up three days later and won again, albeit in a lower grade and over a trip of 1,400m.
Rock Magic will be 11 years, two months and seven days old when he contests the 2020 Colonel Reeves Stakes over 1,100m at Ascot. Third in last term’s Winterbottom Stakes at Group One level, Rock Magic’s most recent victory happened when he justified Northam Stakes favouritism to secure that Group Three title at the age of nine. The last thoroughbred aged at least 10 to win an Australasian black type event was Destiny’s Kiss, the Joseph Pride-prepared 25-1 stayer getting up in the shadows of the post to claim the 2019 Winter Cup, a Listed contest over 2,400m at Randwick.
I would love you to visit my blog every day for its daily serve of fresh content. But I would love you more if you hired me. I am well-bred, by Racing Post out of WA Turf Club. I am well-rounded, a winner over many courses and distances. And I am well-placed, available to add value to your existing team. Do the form on a racing, wagering and communications thoroughbred at markworwood.com.
