Why Robbie Loves Magnus

Mark Smith - Friday February 1

Back in October last year Robbie Griffiths claimed that he had trained 16 horses by Magnus and all were winners - you can add at least one more to the tally after pint-sized chestnut filly Magnicity broke her maiden over 1000 metres at Moonee Valley on Friday night.


Making her first start in 12 weeks after a pair of midfield efforts at Caulfield in the Listed Inglis Debutant Stakes and Flemington in the Group III Ottawa Stakes in her first preparation, Magnicity had the unenviable task of taking the field up to Godolphin's speedball Vivaro.

Under pressure well before the home turn, Magnicity did not flinch under hard riding by Jye McNeil to edge Vivaro (Exceed And Excel) by three-quarters of a length with Sayumi (Sebring) a short-neck back in third.

"It was a really good effort because she came here off one soft trial and we chased a really strong speed," McNeil said.

"I thought she toughed it out really well to the line.

"I don't see a lot of difference with her physically, she might be a little stronger but she is still very small, but she is a very strong-minded horse and very good-natured, that's a key for her."

The daughter of Magnus was purchased by Griffiths Racing / CB Bloodstock for $70,000 from the Edinburgh Park draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale after Edinburgh Park has pinhooked her for $40,000 at the 2017 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.

A three-quarter sister to Listed ATC James Carr Stakes winner Missy Cummings (Magnus), Magnicity is the third foal and first winner out of the 4-time winning Exceed And Excel mare A City Girl who is a daughter of the triple Listed stakes-winner Lady Knockout (Serheed).

One of Victoria's most popular stallions, Group 1 Galaxy Stakes winner Magnus covered 159 mares at Sun Stud last spring at a fee of $19,800.

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