Evergreen 11-year-old Rock Magic back for another shot at Northam Stakes on Sunday

He might be more than twice the age of most of his rivals in Sunday’s Group 3 Northam Stakes (1100m), but Rock Magic isn’t like most 11-year-old racehorses. Connections are daring to dream of adding another chapter to the sprinter’s extraordinary tale in what co-trainer Michael Gangemi rates “the best sprint field here in years”. Rock Magic, the winner of $1.65 million, continues to amaze Gangemi and his co-trainer brother Chris with his zest for racing. The Redoute’s Choice gelding resumes after running third to Elite Street in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last November — his third placing in the Group 1 feature. His last victory was in the 2019 Northam Stakes in race record time. “Just to watch what he does at his age amazes me,” Michael Gangemi said. “His work on Tuesday morning, (jockey) Jarrad Noske just came back shaking his head. “He’s pretty much an underdog now because of his age. “I reckon it’s the best sprint field here in years. Over half the field is half is age. You can’t expect to beat them, but they’ll know he’s there.” Multiple stakes winners Flirtini, Valour Road, Cup Night and Free Trade headline the outstanding Northam Stakes field. Gangemi said the race will be a perfect lead-up to Rock Magic’s bid for a third Roma Cup (1200m) victory at Ascot on May 15. “He’s right where we want him for an 1100 after two trials and he’ll be cherry ripe for the Roma Cup,” Gangemi said. “Whether we announce the Roma Cup is his last start or not depends on this. “But if he keeps racing well, we might even bring him back again for the Winterbottom.” The Gangemis will also start consistent sprinter Floyd, who ran eighth first-up behind River Beau at Ascot. “He’ll be hitting the line really hard and he’s looking for 1200 and 1400,” Michael Gangemi said. “If they cook it up front, him and Rocky will be storming home.” Brad Parnham has been booked to ride Floyd. Meanwhile, champion jockey Paul Harvey will return to track work next week to gauge his recovery from an ankle injury sustained last month.

Evergreen 11-year-old Rock Magic back for another shot at Northam Stakes on Sunday

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