Trainer Paul Preusker believes that the wide barrier will suit Magic Consol’s racing style in the Listed $150,000 VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
A wide barrier will suit Magic Consol, above, in the Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Magic Consol is yet to win at Flemington but Preusker said that the rising nine year old hasn’t had the best of luck at his six appearances at headquarters.
“Flemington is probably his weakness but drawn out probably gives him a chance to race how he likes,” Preusker told RSN Racing Pulse.
Magic Consol drew barrier eighteen in the original draw of sixteen plus four emergencies and will probably move in four spots if all the reserves fail to get a start in the final line.
“I am (happy with the barrier). That suits him. That is probably his weakness if he gets cluttered up. He sort of overthinks the job a little bit,” Preusker said.
“I will leave it all up to Craig, he knows the horse. If he doesn’t get locked away he is quite happy.”
Craig Williams knows Magic Consol well and has won twice on him including a last start seven lengths runaway win in a 1600m Handicap at The Valley on June 16 and the Horsham trainer said that the eight year old goes into the Winter Championship Series Final in the same conditions as his last start.
“He has come on. Probably going in identical, I think,” Preusker said.
“Soundness and everything has sort of come together and even the bloods this time, everything is spot on again and it doesn’t happen with him often.”
“I’ve tapered the work off and kept him a bit fresh. He doesn’t need much galloping and he goes into it a little bit softer than I normally would and we have kept it as good as we can the same.”
Magic Consol is on the second line of betting at $6 for the Winter Championship Series Final with Ladbrokes.com.au behind the $4.40 favourite Ozi Choice.
The Darren Weir trained Ozi Choice has drawn around the middle of the pack with Damian Lane in the saddle.
