First Stakes Win for Star Witness Mare
The $100,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich on Saturday was won by progressive Star Witness mare Magic Alibi.
Her trainer Gerald Ryan set Magic Alibi for the Waterhouse after she ran fourth to Invincibella in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race in January, the plan coming to fruition with a strong finishing win for the five year-old mare.
Magic Alibi jumped from the outside in the field of 14, but was able to go forward and settle midfield for Michael Cahill before charging home to win the 1350 metre sprint by a neck.
“I felt the Waterhouse was a perfect race for her but my confidence was dented when she drew so wide,” Ryan said.
“But once Michael got across near the rails, I knew she would be hard to beat.”
Magic Alibi has the overall record of five wins and six placings from 28 starts with prizemoney in excess of $355,000 and may be given a chance at the Group I Tatts Tiara next Saturday.
Bred by the Laing Racing Syndicate, who also raced her mother, Magic Alibi was offered at the Magic Millions by Widden Stud as agent but passed in shy of her reserve and is the first foal of This Magic Moment.
A minor winner by Magic Albert, This Magic Moment is a grand-daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks winner Tristram Rose and is virtually married to Star Witness having never been covered by anything else.
Magic Alibi is the 13th stakes-winner for Widden Stud’s Star Witness, who stands at a fee of $33,000 this spring.
