Magnus galloper Malaguerra will head straight for a million-dollar showdown in the G1 Stradbroke Hcp after collecting his first Group 1 in the BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.

The rising sprint star has graduated from a Benchmark 70 at Ballarat to win 7 of his 9 starts since August.  He has also banked over $758,000 in prizemoney owner Bruno Micalizzi and the Stradbroke is worth $1 million to the winner.

“I was happy when I got to the fence but I thought I might have hit the lead too early in the straight,” jockey Glenn Colless admitted.  “But he just keep giving when challenged.”

Trainers Lee & Anthony Freedman are undecided whether to back up in the G1 Doomben 10,000 in a fortnight but are leaning towards keeping him fresh for the Stradbroke on June 11.

Malaguerra is by Sun Stud stallion Magnus from Tennessee Morn (Bletchingly) and cost $32,000 from Ballarto Lodge at the 2013 VOBIS Gold Sale.  “He’s the first Group 1 winner off the farm,” studmaster Ian Pankhurst said on Monday.  “He was bred by Sandown Lodge owners John Dickson and Lyn Armanasco who board a half-dozen mares with us.

“They also have mares in NSW but we decided not to send Tennessee Morn to the Hunter Valley due to her age.  We walked her on to Eliza Park and foaled her down here at Pakenham South.

“Malaguerra is her 16th foal and, even though she’s not a big broodmare, she has produced quality foals and racehorses throughout her breeding career.  He was a lovely yearling, nice and correct, and we were happy to get $32,000 at the VOBIS Gold Sale.”

Magnus (Flying Spur) sired his first Group 1 winner when Magnifisio claimed the 2014 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.  His service fee has risen to $19,800 (inc gst) in 2016 – the third hike in as many years.

MALAGUERRA