MAGNUS DOUBLE FOR DOUBLE

The Ellerton/Zahra duo has always had an opinion of Magnus, buying several of his progeny over the past couple of years.

That faith evolved to reality this weekend with Moparee winning an absolute thriller at Flemington on Saturday, while debutant, Mish Mosh, carried all before her at Geelong on Sunday.

Although Magnus’ rapidly growing reputation for producing outstanding 3YOs received yet another boost through the recent Sydney carnival when Platinum Kingdom and Missy Cummings won stakes races on successive Saturdays, his juveniles are equally capable of snaring the spotlight.

There was certainly a lot to like about the win of Moparee in the Spotless Plate over 1100m at Flemington.

It was ‘spotless’ alright! Moparee again jumped to the lead but over the closing stages, The Messina Nymph, loomed large and looked as if she’d steal the win. But Moparee showed plenty of grit, fighting back after being headed and took her tally to two from three.

Out of the multiple winning Keltrice mare, Mrs Bradbury, that fantastic Vain cross is working overtime again with Moparee boasting 4 x 4 to the legendary speed source.

Simon Zahra praised both the stallion and his filly post race, musing how quickly Moparee had progressed from jumpout to race day.

He must surely have been equally impressed with the first start of Mish Mosh, who hails from the stakes winning Barathea mare, Viva la Diva.

Stepping out in the GRC Function and Event Centre 2YO Maiden Plate at Geelong, Mish Mosh won with half a length to spare and it appears greater glory beckons based on the manner of her win.

Interestingly, both Moparee and Mish Mosh were born two days apart – 15 August 2010 and 17 August respectively – but it only took the latter 24 hours and 25 minutes to replicate the result.

Mish Mosh’s victory has again propelled Magnus to the lead on the Australian Second Season Sires’ chart by winners.

Meanwhile, Magnus’ sister Arctic Flight continued the family’s outstanding spate of success by grabbing second in yesterday’s Listed Darley Crown at Hawkesbury.

It’s also a huge fillip for breeder/owner, Rob Crabtree, who owns Arctic Flight, her mother Scandinavia, the three quarter sister, Scandiva (who won the Group Two Magic Night in March) and remains the majority shareholder in Magnus.