Trainer Theo Kieser will be represented by two runners in the Group 3 $150,000 Magic Millions 2013 More Magic 3YO Championship over 1600m on Sunday.
Kieser, known as the ‘King of the Kids’ following his success with two-year-olds in targeted early season races, will saddle Rikioh and Rappor in the third and final Leg of the More Magic 3YO Championship Series.
Regular partner Danny Beasley will be aboard Rikioh while Jose Verenzuela will have the mount on Rappor.
Rikioh missed the first Leg of the series, the Premier Racing Partnerships Stakes over 1200m on September 1 before running second to War Affair in the second Leg, the Newgate Farm Stakes over 1400m on September 22.
Rappor on the other hand has contested both races, finishing second behind War Affair in the first Leg before failing to beat a runner home in the second Leg.
Kieser said both gallopers head into Sunday’s race in excellent condition and both will be ridden differently from their last appearances in the Newgate Farm Stakes.
Rappor will be ridden more forward this time around rather than being restrained back in the field while Rikioh will attempt to take a sit after leading last time and being run down by War Affair.
“With Rappor last time we tried to restrain him back and try to get him to settle and relax with this race coming up in mind,” said Kieser.
“It didn’t mix too well with him. He fought and fought and pulled himself into the ground and he was a spent horse before he came into the straight.
“He’s a free running horse and that’s how he will be ridden on Sunday and whether he sees out the mile (1600m), well that is the big question.
“This will be the race that tells us whether he stays or not and if he doesn’t then he can come back in distance.
“He’s trained on nicely since his last run. Touch wood, but we haven’t had a moment’s problem with him at all.
“With Rikioh last time, because of his inside draw and with Rappor sitting back, we decided to ride him more forward, but he ended up leading.
“This time he will be ridden slightly off the pace. As with Rappor there is a little question over whether he will stay the 1600m or not, but his previous runs when ridden from off the pace suggest he should run it out.
“If he can relax in the first 1000m of the race he should be able to see out the mile without any problems.
“His work since his last start second placing has been good. Danny was away last week and I got one of my senior trackriders to gallop him and I thought it was quite good work.
“Both horses are fit and well and hopefully they will run well.”
While victory in the race would be a good result for the Kieser stable, the trainer is also eyeing off the $150,000 bonus money that is up for grabs.
Both Rappor and Rikioh were purchased through the Australian auction house Magic Millions and are eligible for the bonus.
There was a $37,500 bonus available for the first two Legs of the series with a $75,000 bonus up for grabs in the final Leg.
With the New Zealand-bred War Affair winning and not eligible for the bonus money on offer in the first two Legs, therefore $150,000 is up for grabs this time around.
If War Affair does happen to again win the final Leg on Sunday, then the bonus money will be paid to highest placed qualified runner.
Kieser knows a thing or two about winning bonus money. He said Rappor collected around $190,000 in bonus money through the Singapore Golden Horseshoe Series run earlier in the year.
Eligible runners for the bonus money in the Magic Millions More Magic 2013 Championship are: Rikioh, Rappor, Boomarang Deluxe, Silver Dollar, Bangladesh Tiger and Golden Knight.
