Widden Stud’s quiet achiever Magnus made his presence felt on Cox Plate day with a new stakes-winner after progressive five year-old Just Folk landed the $300,000 Group II MVRC Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
Thereabouts in Listed races at his two previous runs, the Josh Julius trained gelding produced a career best performance to score a half length win for John Allen, who later won the Cox Plate on State of Rest (IRE).
"It is pretty surreal. I'll give you the tip. We scratched from last night thinking it might be our chance. It is obviously not the most regal of Crystal Miles ever run but we thought with the form that he is in, it was good to see those two horses go one-two in the VOBIS Gold Star and they were out of the Seymour Cup as well,” said Josh Julius.
"To come out and do it is a massive thrill.”
Not offered for sale, Just Folk has the overall record of five wins and three placings from 15 starts with prizemoney in excess of $333,000.
"Cassie - my fiance - and myself, we're lucky to be leasing a fair majority of him off my grandparents. They bred him at home and to have him here doing this for us is massive,” said Julius.
"A group winner in my grandparents' colours, too, it is just huge.
"His uncle is Tears I Cry who I was lucky to strap him when he ran third in this race. This family has been terrific for our family."
Just Folk is the best of two winners from Fast Ruby, an unraced half-sister to Group I Tears I Cry and grand-daughter of Group I VRC Oaks winner Weekend Delight. Fast Ruby was covered again last spring by Magnus.
Just Folk is the 24th stakes-winner for Magnus, who stands at Widden Stud at a fee of $15,400.
