Visiting northern rider Lisa Allpress showed her undoubted class in the saddle when she guided race favourite All About Magic to a comprehensive victory in the Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.
The Showcasing filly dominated her two-year-old
rivals over the closing stages of the contest after a heady ride from Allpress,
who had her up disputing the pace throughout.
Allowed to stride clear near the line, All About Magic was two and half lengths clear of runner-up Hot Tap with raceday debutant Buck Shellfish closing off nicely to grab third.
Prepared by the father and son team of Michael and Matthew Pitman, it was Michael's wife Dianne who was accepting the accolades in the Riccarton birdcage afterwards as Michael listened on from England where he has their dual Group One winning sprinter, Enzo's Lad preparing to tackle the Royal Ascot carnival in June.
"He (Michael) keeps setting the alarm and waking up to listen to each race," Pitman said.
"She looked great today. She was probably a little bit fresh last start and raced accordingly.
"She is a very smart horse."
The victory was All About Magic's third from just five raceday starts, with the black-type from the win enhancing any future career she may have in the broodmare paddock.
"As Michael has said before, she comes from one of the good families and they are all the lovely dark fillies like her," Pitman said.
"She has everything going for her."
Bred and raced by Twizel's Stephanie Rathgen, All About Magic is the third living foal of Montjeu mare, Rosecroft who is the daughter of talented performer Soltanto and hails from the extended family of Group One winners, Soliloquy, Solveig, Culminate, Captivate and Savaria.
Rathgen purchased Rosecroft in foal to Showcasing for $7,000 at the 2016 National Broodmare Sale with All About Magic the resulting progeny.
The victory also capped a race-to-race double for the Pitman team after Nellie Bly had been successful in the previous event. – NZ Racing Desk
