Blackbook: Tom Magnier is ready to capture the Golden Shoe with Learning To Fly

Coolmore Australia CEO Tom Magnier said the Golden Slipper is the race that global racing and tribal giants dream of more than any other.

“I remember when I first came to Australia, the Golden Shoe was just the most famous race, but so far it’s the only race we haven’t won,” Magnier said.

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“If you told dad (John Magnier) or anyone else from Coolmore what kind of race in the world Coolmore wants to win the Golden Shoe, you would be in the top two there,” Magnier said. “The Kentucky Derby would be different.”

Coolmore may well have a shot at finally winning the $5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens on March 18th with undefeated filly Learning To Fly.

The Annabelle Nisham-trained filly maintained a $4 fixed-odds TAB favoritism for the richest junior race in the world after winning the fight in the Reisling Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.

Even though Learning to Fly had only half a head to save on the line over Fasile, Magnier believed there was much merit in the filly’s efforts.

“They used to go very fast, the early qualifiers were very, very fast,” Magnier said.

“So she had to go the hard way, but she never gave up, it was a great sign, there is a bit of struggle in her.

“We wouldn’t trade her for anything. She’s fantastic, we love her, she’s special.”

Magnier felt that Learning to Fly was “slowing down” when she stayed ahead in Reisling and she would have been better off slowing down in a high-pressure race like the Golden Slipper.

“Chad (Schofield, jockey) didn’t think she particularly enjoyed being up front,” Magnier said.

“She’s been messing around a bit, so I’d say she catches better than she showed when she came back from the field in the English millennium.”

The obvious versatility of Learning To Fly to some extent negates the extremely important barrier of Golden Slipper.

The Golden Shoe is a tough race to win, and while I’m not too worried about the hurdle draw, you’d be happier if you drew a good one,” Magnier said.

Rival coach Michael Friedman was delighted to see Learning To Fly and Facile finish in second place in the Reisling Stakes as it confirmed the form of his filly Blanc De Blanc.

Blanc De Blanc narrowly lost to Learning To Fly in the Inglis Millennium before losing third to Lazzago and Fasila in the Sweet Embrace Stakes.

Friedman, who coached The Communist to win Randwick Guinea’s Group 1 victory last Saturday, said Blanc de Blanc would have a chance to secure the Golden Shoe start in the Group 3 $200,000 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday.

YOU CAN BET ON IT

There were a few $500 out of $16 Communist bets to win Guinea’s Randwick, but he was only ninth best in a market dominated by Aft Cabin.

The communist proved too strong for his rivals, while left without a seat in the aft cabin, who accounted for 50 percent of the costs, he made several huge bets, including $30,000 at $2.70 and $10,000 at $2.20 .

Arturius ($9) was also largely overlooked at Canterbury after opening at $4.60 and drifting to $7, although there were some good $1,000 bets at $9 and two more $1,000 bets at $7 .

Big money for the race was received by the Empress, including $8,000 at $2.20 and $5,000 at $2.35, with the mare in the lead until the last few jumps when Artorius unleashed his brilliant finishing run.

The Reisling Stakes Learning To Fly winner was one of the top performers in the program with $10,000 in winning stakes at $1.85 and $5,000 multiples of $1.65 to $1.70.

FIVE FOLLOWING

Cylinder (Race 2) kept the pressure on Red Resistance in the 600m and got the better of his rival on the straight to take the lead and score confidently. He’s the kind of two-year-old who thrives under pressure, which will serve him well for the Golden Shoe.

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learn to fly (race 3) rode with the intention of holding the rail and sharing the lead with Fasile before pulling away from victory. They worked hard at the beginning of the race, so Learning To Fly needed to show class and determination to win. It will be better to ride at speed in a fast Golden Shoe.

Sir Lucan (race 4) had his first run since the 2021 Melbourne Cup and had a superb lead all the way to victory. List winner in England, he is a strong player and on his way to the Sydney Cup.

dashing legend (Race 5) finished second in the Reisling Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago, but it has never gone better than this campaign. She won the night meeting in Canterbury and then moved easily to the Fireball betting level. Promising filly on the rise.

Giga Kik (race 6) failed to start and in races of 1000 m of this level it is almost impossible to recover and win. But Gigi Kik’s final run for third in the Challenge Stakes was outstanding under the circumstances, and he’s looming as the winner of the TJ Smith Stakes.

TERFIN TALK

“I’m not booked for anything else in the future, but I’m free!” Hong Kong superstar jockey Zack Purton said after his brace in Group 1.

“I have no doubt that the Communist is the best hunter, and I always felt that he had such a running around,” said trainer Michael Friedman.

“The start is everything for this horse, if he starts, you can win,” said Anthony Friedman, Artorius trainer.

“What a homecoming. It was only her sixth start in the race and to compete in a Group 2 weight-to-age against very experienced horses, it was a huge effort,” said Graham Begg, Passive-Aggressive Trainer.

“She’s tactful, she’s very versatile, she’s very professional – it’s great to have a filly like this in the Golden Slipper,” said Annabelle Nisham, Learning To Fly Coach.

“He has already been released, but the ATC is offering a $1 million bonus if the horse wins two runs to the Golden Shoe and then wins a bigger one. I think it gives James McDonald a little extra incentive to ride the Cylinder in two weeks,” said coach James Cummings.

SOLUTION TIME

Giga Kik (Race 6) ran a brilliant 32.32s in the last 600m – the fastest time of the meeting – in last place and finished third in the Challenge Stakes. His final splits of 10.39 and 11.08 were also the best of the day.

Cylinder (race 2) was strong to the breaking point, recording 33.85s to get past Red Resistance on the Todman stakes. By comparison, Learning To Fly came home in 35.45s to win the Reisling Stakes, although the fillies were going much harder early in the race.

Sir Lucan (Race 4) ran four consecutive stages under 12 seconds, including 11.27 seconds split between the 400 and 200 meters, and took an impressive victory in the 200 meters in his first race in 17 months. Cool stayer and will only get better with races.

Kote (Race 5) rode conservatively early and reacted well, finishing in second place behind Dashing Legend. Kote ran his final 600m in 33.55s.

Arturius (Race 7) found himself in a tight spot at the start of the straight, but Zach Purton found his way out and blasted home in 33.4 seconds for an outstanding victory.

The stewards are talking

Tycoon Evie (Race 10) was hit by interference near the line when jockey Zack Perton protested against the first behind the line, Jump The Broom, ridden by Zack Lloyd. The stewards determined that Jump The Broom had shifted violently despite Lloyd’s attempts to straighten his steed, causing tycoon Evie to be severely delayed by clipping Jump The Broom’s heels and making a big mistake. The stewards were satisfied that Tycoon Evie finished ahead of Jump The Broom were it not for this interference and accordingly supported the protest 3rd to 1st by changing places, with Jal Lay declaring the winner from Tycoon Evie and Jump The Broom .

Arturius (Race 7) ran only honestly and was held up by a clean run until he cleared the 300m. Approaching the 50-meter distance and passing it, he shifted under pressure and raced on the “Golden Mile”.

Soulcombe (Race 4) started slowly from the wide barrier and jockey James McDonald told the stewards that the gelding had no early tactical speed and settled back down the field again. The Soulcombe was not suited to the moderate early pace as the race turned into a home sprint.

The Giga Kick (Race 6) was a little naughty in the hurdles and had a clumsy start, making mistakes and then had to be checked when it was full to find a spot between Paulele and Sacred Satono. Giga Kick settled down at the end of the field and hence when he managed to get a clean run from inside the 400m he closed very well.

RANDWICK SHOT With RON DUFFISY

DAY RUN

How can you get past Artorius! After the classy New Zealand mare Empresses ran off looking like a winner, he ran clean and sniffed the win as he streaked down the line, getting a very favorable result for connections.

FORGET THEY RUN

Tycoon Evy was supposed to leave Randwick Racecourse as Group 3 winner, but unfortunately through no fault of her own, she had to finish second due to default. Although she received a protest, it wasn’t enough as Jal Ley stuck her head out and beat her by a second.

ONE TO FOLLOW

The Giga Kick was light on the market, and after being knocked out at the beginning, his hopes were not met. His final finishing sections were amazing on soft trails and he certainly still claims all the big sprints up front.

TRIP OF THE DAY

Zach Purton returned to Sydney with a bang, winning both Group 1 races.

NSW RACING – ONE WEEK AHEAD

#What will happen in the races of New South Wales this week:

Monday: Tamworth, Wagga Wagga

Tuesday: Tari

Wednesday: Kensington

Thursday: Newcastle (Midway Championship qualifier), Goulburn

Friday: Kembla Grange (Kembla Grange Classic Group 3), Muswellbrook

Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Gosford.

Sunday: Coonamble (Country Champs Qualifier), Canberra (Black Opal Stakes)

Originally published as Blackbook: Tom Magnier is ready to capture the Golden Shoe with Learning To Fly