Muir and Begg rekindle their secret Magic

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Back in 2011, trainer Grahame Begg and Milburn Creek Stud principal John Muir combined for Group 1 success with Secret Admirer (Dubawi) in the Epsom Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) and, just over a decade on, it looks like they could be bound for the elite-level together again with unbeaten filly Magic Time (Hellbent).

The filly ploughed through the murky conditions at Randwick last Saturday to win the PJ Bell Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and announced herself as a high-class prospect of the future.

In a Sky Channel post-race interview, comparisons to the great Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) were even bandied around – although at three wins from three starts she sits someway off the great mare, who went unbeaten in 25 outings. 

“We have all got to live in hope,” Muir told ANZ Bloodstock News, with a laugh.

Muir bred Magic Time who is the first foal out of 2017 SA Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m)-winning mare Time Awaits (Nicconi). The filly was entered for the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale but failed to make her reserve of $150,000, so Muir kept her and sent her to Begg, his long-time friend, to train.

“The filly had clean x-rays and a good throat but I didn’t get a bidder so I passed her in and decided to give her to Grahame, as we had an association with Secret Admirer,” Muir said. 

Begg was thrilled to take her on for Muir, with whom he has had a connection since childhood.

“I’ve known him since I was a little boy. My father (Neville) trained for his father and we have been associated for many years. The Muirs are beautiful people. John breeds to the best and tries to buy the best and has a boutique operation and is reaping the rewards. 

“He doesn’t interfere, he lets you get on with the job and says ‘you will tell me what you think’. He just wants to know where they are running and what in. I think it’s great,” said Begg.

They’ve enjoyed a fruitful journey so far with Magic Time, who after winning her maiden at Pakenham in October, was thrown straight into stakes class, winning the Amanda Elliott Handicap (Listed, 1400m). 

“I said to [Muir] back at Magic Millions time I don’t know where her ceiling is. I gave him plenty of time to digest that. 

“She’s very understated.  At home, she goes about the job she’s got to do. She’s a good track worker. She doesn’t break world records but she does it well enough. The thing I have been most encouraged about is her racing style. The further they go into a race the stronger she gets and she runs through the line,” he said.

While the wet conditions were cause for some concern, Begg was quietly confident of success with her on Saturday.

“With a few runs under her belt, it’s brought her on a bit and she’s more streetwise.  The way she handled the conditions and the way she did it on Saturday was unbelievable.”

Magic Time is the first horse by Yarraman Park Stud’s fledgling stallion Hellbent (I Am Invincible) that Begg has ever trained and he said the key to getting the best out of her has been exercising patience.

“I could have run her in August before the spring but I thought she needed a bit more time. It’s about knowing the horse and giving them a chance to catch their breath.”

Just like his legendary father, Hall of Famer Neville, Begg has a real knack for training fillies and mares. 

“He’s got that magic touch with them. He’s got patience with them. He didn’t start this filly as a two-year-old and gave her plenty of time and now she’s pushing the buttons the right way,” said Muir. 

I asked Begg what his secret is.

“Less is more. Knowing when to hold them and when to fold them. It’s about looking after them and knowing when to back off,” was the reply. 

The former Randwick-based horseman now trains out of the spacious Cranbourne facility in Victoria and applies that method consistently.

“You have to treat them individually. We don’t have a big stable with 30 in work and I’m hands-on, observing every day. Some thrive being in training and it’s about knowing what they need. Whether they need to be backed off or have a change in routine or environment. You have to mix it up and keep their minds happy. With the difficult ones you have to go their way, you can’t fight them. Sometimes you have to throw them a bit of sugar, not salt.”

He describes Magic Time as a straightforward horse to train.

“She’s good, she enjoys her work and is the best eater and eats like an older horse. The way she goes about things in the stable, she doesn’t stress too much.”

Those traits will no doubt put her in good stead for potential Group 1 success in the future. For now, though, the focus is on giving her one more run this campaign in the James HB Carr Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Randwick in a few weeks before planning her path as a four-year-old.

“Going into a four-year-old year there are lots of options. We might target the Empire Rose with her but it’s all a bit unchartered at the moment. We don’t know if she will run a mile yet. There’s also the Golden Eagle which is very enticing for four-year-olds. We might run her against the mares or even in a big handicap against the boys.”

Whatever happens for the rest of this season and beyond, the main thing is she’s already done everything a trainer could ask for when managing a horse for a breeder.

“The number one focus is winning a maiden, secondly trying to win a race in town, and thirdly win black type and, if they keep ticking those boxes, they will be right. And if they don’t look like they will be good enough then don’t run them.”

This filly has jumped through all those hoops and more magic times beckon.