Trade Fair filly Moonstone Magic got her career back on track with a narrow victory in the Totepool Stakes (1700m) at Nottingham on Wednesday.
Moonstone Magic (4f Trade Fair – Woodcock Moon by Kyllachy) looked like she was going to coast to an easy victory for most of the contest but was made to pull out all the stops to score on soft ground.
“It’s nice to get her head back in front after being away for such a long time,” jockey Jim Crowley said. “I managed to get her relaxed but she relaxed a little too well and I had to squeeze her up into the bridle.
“She had a trip to Ireland for her first run back so you’re always slightly worried about her bouncing as well after a long lay-off.”
Moonstone Magic had been strongly fancied for last year’s G1 English 1000 Guineas after winning the G3 Fred Darling at Newbury by four lengths, however, a pelvic injury scuppered her prospects in the fillies’ classic.
The Ralph Beckett trainee had been sidelined for almost a year before resuming with a pleasing third in the LR Athasi Stakes at the Curragh earlier this month.
Moonstone Magic holds an entry for the G2 Windsor Forest Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot on June 19. The fillies and mares feature has been renamed the Duke of Cambridge Stakes this year.
In Australia, Trade Fair sired another talented city winner when Swap Ya was successful at Belmont last Saturday. She is one of 16 individual winners among his current crop of three year-olds.
Swap Ya (3f Trade Fair – Thunder Vision by Thunder Gulch) has been an absolute bargain for connections after being knocked down for $1,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.
She won on debut for trainer Jason Pateman at Northam last September and broke through in town at Ascot on April 27. Last Saturday’s Belmont victory sent her earnings to $103,500.
Sunspeed breeder Rick Hart pensioned her dam Thunder Vision in 2010. He raced also the mare’s half-brother Fireband (Euclase) to Listed wins in the Raconteur Stakes, Bolton Sprint and Placid Ark Stakes.
Trade Fair (Zafonic) stands at John Andrew’s Alwyn Park for a $4,950 (inc gst) service fee.
– Karl Patterson