LIGHTLY-raced, and injury-plagued, Port Macquarie galloper Eire Of Magic is back on track – and set to make his rather large presence felt in today’s NAB Smart Banking Open Handicap.
Trainer Lisa Edwards was thrilled with Eire Of Magic’s first up run (his first since last October) when a very fast-finishing fourth to The Sheik on Wauchope Cup day over unsuitable 1000m.
She believes he is starting to show signs that his injury woes are very much behind him.
“I ride him every morning now and he feels great,” Edwards said.
“His last injury was knee ligament damage – but he’s not feeling that at all at the moment.”
After originally nominating for the NAB Silver Ribbon Cup Sky Channel Gold Rating 72 Handicap, Edwards also hedged her bets – double booking Eire Of Magic for the NAB Smart Banking Open Handicap.
She believes he needs some racing to prepare for the upcoming Grafton carnival.
“I was hoping he’d get into the Cup race but the open handicap is a good back as he’ll not have to carry a big weight,” Edwards explained.
One thing the big chestnut will have to get used to is a new jockey, champion Port Macquarie hoop Peter Graham.
Robert Thompson, who has ridden him at 12 of his past 13 starts, is contesting the Rockhampton Cup meeting on the weekend – and is unavailable.