Second bite at the cherry for Magnufighter

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Jack Duncan has warned comeback galloper Magnufighter may be short of a run at Doomben on Saturday ahead of another bid for Magic Millions glory during the summer.

Magnufighter will have his first start since finishing fourth over 2020 metres at Doomben last December when he steps out in the Open Handicap over 1350 metres.

The then six-year-old was later hurt in a track gallop a week before the 1800 metre Magic Millions Open in January.

“He did his suspensory getting ready for the 1800-metre race on Magic Millions day,” Duncan said.

“He was working good at the time in preparation for the Magic Millions race but we had to pull up stumps after he hurt himself.

“It was 50/50 whether he’d race again but the vets were confident he’d be right if he had a long spell.”

Magnufighter is being aimed at the same race – the Magic Millions Open in January – but Duncan is undecided on his lead-up program.

“I want to see how he comes through this race on Saturday first before I look at his next start,” Duncan said.

“He’s been in work for around three months and so far, the leg is fine and he’s working strongly but he might just need this run.”

Magnufighter showed he was ready for his comeback finishing fourth in a barrier trial at the Sunshine Coast last month and is a proven performer first up with two wins and a second from eight starts.

His biggest career win was in the Gold Coast Stakes over 1800 metres in March last year.

Duncan has long believed Magnufighter is capable of winning a big race even though he’s approaching the twilight of his career.

In his youngster days, Magnufighter finished second as a three-year-old in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas in 2018.

He also finished second in the Listed Member’s Cup at Doomben in February last year.

Duncan rates the Lismore-trained At Witz End as the hardest to beat following the gelding’s recent run of three wins from his past four starts.

Duncan had been training for more than 30 years and moved from Atherton in the state's far north to Caloundra on Queensland's Sunshine Coast about a decade ago.