Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Former Singapore galloper Magnum will step back to his ideal distance on Saturday after finishing unplaced in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham last month.
The Lauren Brennan-trained six-year-old didn’t settle in the mile feature and his trainer believes he is better suited to the 1400m distance of Saturday’s Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint at Te Rapa.
“He was a little keen early, Matt (Cameron, jockey) said he fought him a little bit,” Brennan said.
“There was no pace on and it wasn’t run to his liking. In saying that, I’m not 100 percent sure that he got the mile. He probably gets 1500m and the last 100m he struggles with.
“We are going to bring him back to the 1400m. I think that is his ideal distance and Michael Rodd will ride him in the BCD Sprint.”
Magnum has had three starts over 1400m in New Zealand, winning the Listed Flying Handicap at Awapuni last March before placing in the Gr.3 Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) and Gr.3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m).