Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
WA-bred five-year-old Machnificent has struck a purple patch of form, and he notched his third win from his past four starts for trainer Katja Warwick and champion reinsman Chris Lewis when he proved too speedy for his six rivals in the 2130m Happy First Wedding Anniversary Casey And Jerra Smith Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The $1.20 favourite from barrier No. 2, Machnificent was not extended in setting a brisk pace and coasting to victory over El Chema ($4.60) and Eldaytona ($19).
This boosted his record to 62 starts for 16 wins, 17 placings and $238,954. He has excelled as a sit-sprinter and is also a very good frontrunner.
Lewis was full of praise for Machnificent, who had to fend off a strong early challenge from $31 chance Mr Fantastic, who led by a half-length early but was unable to cross to the front. And then, Machnificent defied a challenge approaching the home turn from El Chema, who had enjoyed an ideal passage, one-out and one-back.
“You always like to get it as comfortable as you can,” said Lewis. “However, Machnificent was up to the task. When El Chema challenged coming to the home turn, he was travelling very well, and he won without me having to pull the plugs.
“He has now graduated to Free-For-All company, and it’s harder when you get to that class. But he has run the sectional times to compete in Free-For-Alls.”
Admirers of Machnificent point out that when he ran home strongly to win the 1730m Nights Of Thunder in January 2022, beating Ideal Agent by a head, he rated 1.52.4. In contrast, champion pacer Magnificent Storm has won five 1730m events at Gloucester Park with rates of 1.52.5, 1.52.9, 1.53.2, and 1.53.9 (twice).