Racing
Magnaspin set to shine at Sandown
The mile trip at his favourite racecourse is expected to suit Magnaspin on Boxing Day.
The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin stable are banking on a return to Sandown bringing out the best in Magnaspin.
While the six-year-old is yet to race on the Sandown Lakeside track, Magnaspin has had three starts on the Hillside circuit for two wins and a third.
Magnaspin heads to Sandown, to the Lakeside course, on Friday to contest the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m).
It will be the gelding's third run back from a spell, and Larkin expects Magnaspin to be just about at his peak for Friday's contest.
Magnaspin commenced his campaign finishing a pleasing sixth in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 29 before running sixth to Persian Spirit in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on December 13.
Larkin said Magnaspin had gained valuable improvement from that outing and was looking forward to the gelding stepping out again at Sandown.
"He's come out of that last run really well and the step up to the mile, third-up, he should be ready to improve," Larkin said.
"He really loves Sandown and has a real affinity for the track. He's won a few races there and last prep he won a nice race there."
Larkin said Magnaspin was given slightly more time in the paddock to recover from a winter campaign with the intention to have him racing over summer.
"He's a horse that has come up a bit slower this time as we gave him a bit of a bigger spell and after the two runs, his fitness should be right there now," Larkin said.
"It will be a tough race, but on his day, he is definitely up to it."
The Corstens and Larkin team have engaged apprentice Luke Cartwright for the ride on Friday.
Cartwright rode a double at Caulfield Heath last Saturday while he added to tally of winners with a victory at Mornington on Tuesday.
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