David Jolly’s progressive four-year-old sprinter Streetcar Magic could be driving towards a run in the prestigious Group 1 The Goodwood next month after a gritty victory at Morphettville over the weekend.
Blevic gelding Streetcar Magic went out as a $9 shot in the $115,000 Group 3 D.C. McKay Stakes (1100m) after having won a 1000m sprint first-up for the season in mid-March.
In a thrilling all-the-way run up on the rails, Streetcar Magic and jockey Justin Potter were able to score victory by a mere nose over the Mark Kavanagh-trained Valentine Miss ($6) while Peter Snowden’s Lonhro gelding Pinwheel ($4.20) was a further half head away in a close third.
Disappointment of the race was $2.70 favourite Catapulted, Kavanagh’s Rubiton Stakes’ winner never a threat with the 59kg topweight eventually beating home just one other runner crossing seven lengths away 10th.
The D.C. McKay Stakes is one of the traditional lead-ups to Adelaide’s premier sprint showdown, the $350,000 Group 1 The Goodwood, the 1200m handicap feature to run at Morphettville on SA Derby Day, May 7.
Streetcar Magic’s last-stride victory on Saturday has Jolly setting his sights on The Goodwood, which will be galloper’s toughest test to date.
A winner of seven of their 11 career starts to date, Streetcar Magic has won over $280,000 in prize money and remains unbeaten in his four runs over 1200m at Morphettville.
Local Goolwa-based trainer Jolly also enjoyed success in the other major race at Morphettville on Saturday, taking out the $175,000 Group 2 Queen of the South Stakes (1600m) with his improving Reset mare Goon Serpent.
A $31 outsider in the markets, second emergency Goon Serpent gained a start in the Queen of the South Stakes field following the scratching of Belscenica and Mont Fleuri.
In a gallant run she was able to beat home $4.60 equal favourite Lady Lynette by over a length while a gallant Ocean Challenger crossed a further half length away in third.
A bargain buy for just $14,000 from the Inglis Sales, Goon Serpent has now won four of her 10 starts earning in excess of $150,000 in stakes.
Jolly also has plans to run Goon Serpent at Morphettville on Derby Day in the Listed Centaurea Stakes (2000m).
