Apprentice Corey Bayliss‘s snap decision to try new mid-race tactics on Magnufighter has helped the gelding earn a tilt at stakes races with an impressive win at Doomben.
The four-horse race was being run at an even tempo when Bayliss whipped around the field to take the lead and was never headed in the Thank You Health Care Workers Handicap (2000m).
There are few more honest horses than Magnufighter ($2.40) who has now won seven races and just under $500,000.
In all of those wins Magnufighter has been ridden behind the speed and allowed to run on in the straight.
Trainer Jack Duncan will now send Magnufighter to the Group Three Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben (2000m on May 30.
“He ran third in the Queensland Guineas over 1600m as a three-year-old,” Duncan said.
“So he is up to stakes company and I think his best distance now is the 1800m to 2000m range.
“We saw today he can lead when he has to and that is another string to his bow.”