Former New South Wales galloper Rock Magic continued his impressive strike since joining trainer Chris Gangemi’s stables when he posted a maiden stakes win at Belmont.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding has been a revelation since arriving in Western Australia with yesterday’s $100,000 Farnley Stakes (1400m) his fourth consecutive victory.
Rock Magic, ridden by Jarrad Noske, settled in fifth position and fought on tenaciously to score by ¾ of a length from Bippo No Bungus.
Celebrity Miss, in what could have been her final run before heading to the breeding paddock, was further back in third place.
Rock Magic, who started a $2.40 favourite, was having his first attempt at a feature race and Gangemi admitted he was feeling the pressure.
“I’m probably more relieved than excited to be honest,” said Gangemi.
“It wasn’t the strongest Farnley Stakes and it looked like he should win.
“We’ve had the race planned out for a month and it doesn’t come off very often so it’s good that it has this time.”
Rock Magic has now won eight races from 16 starts with $240,965 in stake earnings.
Denying him a clean sweep in Perth was a runner-up finish to Satellite City in July.
“Jarrad didn’t really know him and through no fault of his the horse took off at the 600m and went way to early,” said Gangemi.
“Since then he obviously hasn’t missed a beat and he put in another quality ride.”
Gangemi said Rock Magic would target a second feature win.
“He will have about a week or ten days off,” said Gangemi.
“He will then be aimed at the Birthday Stakes in (1200m) in October.
“Beyond that I haven’t looked too far ahead.
“But I would like to win another big race at the Ascot carnival.”
Rock Magic, an $80,000 purchase, is raced by Gangemi thoroughbreds and Mercon racing.
“A lot of them have never been involved in ownership and they are having a wonderful experience,” said Gangemi.
“It’s great for racing and I’m sure they will want to stay in the industry.”
Classique Ivory put in a pleasing run when he attacked the line hard to be placed sixth and four lengths astern of Rock Magic.
It was the Gino Poletti-trained six-year-olds first run since March as he returns for a Perth Cup campaign.