It's Kind Of Magic has booked a ticket to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions carnival with a tough first-up win at The Valley.
Sitting three-wide outside the leaders in the Leneva Park Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, It's Kind Of Magic took over soon after straightening under jockey Brett Prebble, racing clear for a decisive victory.
Trainer Brent Stanley said the filly would now head to the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) on January 11.
Heavily supported from $2.50 to $2.15, It's Kind Of Magic scored by 1-1/4 lengths from Shezawitness ($11) with Tragic ($9) three-quarters-of-a-length away third.
Stanley said he would not shy away from taking on Caulfield Guineas runner-up Alligator Blood on the Gold Coast – now the $2 favourite after his success at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
“I've never run away from a horse before,” Stanley said.
“She (It's Kind Of Magic) is a quality horse and she'll only get better at 1400 metres. It's going to suit her down to the ground.
“Her work going the reverse way has been better than going this way, so hopefully she can do it race day.”
Stanley said It's Kind Of Magic had improved condition-wise after three runs in the spring that resulted in a Ballarat maiden win before running fourth at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
He said the filly was a dream horse to train.
“She did it tough in her last preparation and she did it tough again today, but she'll go home and eat up,” Stanley said.
“She's the easiest horse to train and if something goes a bit pear-shaped in the run she can get over it and still hit the line.”
Prebble said he would have liked to have given the filly the chance of a rest during Saturday's race instead of being caught three wide and working.
With no cover, Prebble said It's Kind Of Magic had ‘revved the motor a bit'.
“I would liked to have switched off and had a breather for 400 metres,” he said.
“But that didn't happen, so I thought I'd get going early.
“She hit a flat spot but she got through it then showed a good turn of foot and was soft on the line.”