Tom Dabernig in search of Magic at The Valley
Warrnambool trainer Tom Dabernig will bring It’s Kind Of Magic to Moonee Valley as the mare shoots for a third straight victory.
It’s Kind Of Magic runs in the PJA Accountants & Business Advisors Handicap (1000m) on Saturday following wins at Dunkeld and Warrnambool at her past two starts.
Dabernig has used the 4kg claim of Jordyn Weatherley to advantage in those victories, but with Weatherley unable to ride in town due to her inexperience, Damian Lane has the ride on Saturday.
Mark Zahra had ridden It’s Kind Of Magic in the mare’s first-up second at Geelong in October, but he is currently taking a break after a busy spring.
“Zahra had ridden her before, but he wasn’t able to ride her, so we thought we’d get the best available and we got Lane,” Dabernig said.
“She’s back to metro level and she did run well for us at Moonee Valley last preparation.
“She had a string of second placings last time in, then she went to Sandown and bled, so she had to have a holiday for three months.
“This time in she’s been good in that department through not doing anything different.”
A daughter of So You Think, It’s Kind Of Magic did win over 1400m as a three-year-old, but Dabernig has kept the mare to shorter trips this campaign.
Dabernig has not ruled out stepping It Kind Of Magic back up in trip at a later date but has been keeping her on the fresh side after the bleeding attack back in April.
“With the bled that she had, in the back of my mind I’ve taken the fresh approach and kept her to shorter distances,” Dabernig said.
“I haven’t hammered her with galloping between runs and that seems to be working at the moment.
“She looks amazing, she’s full of dapples and really healthy.
“I think she’ll run as well as she can again, it’s whether she can take that next step, but she’s in at a good time of year for her to possibly get another win in town.”
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