Briefs for 2nd January 2015

Midnitemagicman breaks through; Alton happy with his ‘naughty boy’; Rest for Ryan Mark.

Midnitemagicman breaks through

Midnitemagicman added winning momentum to his Gr.1 TV3 New Zealand Derby campaign with a deserved maiden success at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

The diminutive Tavistock gelding has been a multiple black type placegetter in the Jesters Salver, Trevor Eagle Memorial and the Great Northern Foal Stakes before his breakthrough success under James McDonald.

“He’s a little midget, but he’s got a big heart,” co-trainer Donna Logan said.

Midnitemagicman remains a $14 Derby chance behind his stablemate and market leader Volkstok’n’barrell, who heads betting at $3 for the classic.

Alton happy with his ‘naughty boy’

Cambridge trainer Gary Alton is more than happy to put up with Light Shadow’s wayward tendencies.

A patient approach with the five-year-old is now reaping rewards with the Holy Roman Emperor gelding winning for the second time at Ellerslie on Thursday in his three-start career.

“We had him before he went to Hong Kong and he was always quite naughty and had a couple of trainers up there and never raced,” Alton said.

When Alton was offered an ownership share in Light Shadow he didn’t need to think twice and happily welcomed the gelding home.

“He’s always been a handful, but he’s got a lot of ability,” Alton said.

Rest for Ryan Mark

Ryan Mark has gone for a spell after failing to overcome a wide gate in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway Stakes at Ellerslie.

He had won six of his previous seven starts, including the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint, before finishing seventh behind In Style in the New Year’s Day feature.

“We’ll put him out for a break now,” trainer and part-owner John Morrell said.