Grahame Begg is hopeful that barrier luck will favour Magic Time this weekend as she targets a second win in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick.

The classy mare returns to the 1400m Group 1 feature after a solid performance in the T J Smith Stakes, where she once again drew the inside gate and found herself in an unfavourable position.

In a near mirror image of 2023, Magic Time drew barrier one in both editions of the T J Smith, finishing seventh last year and sixth this year, beaten under two lengths on both occasions.

Begg noted that Magic Time performs best when she has the opportunity to find clear running room and unwind her sprint, similar to when she won the All Aged Stakes in 2023 from gate six.

“She has drawn barrier one in the T J Smith both years, and it’s been rinse and repeat,” Begg said.

“She got beaten just over a length last year and it was similar again this time.

“She was down on the inside being dictated to when you are trying to hold your position too close to the lead.

“She’s much better when she has a little room to move, ridden a little more cuddled back and allowed to wind up into her race.

“She ran very well and they’re great races, those races.”

Begg added that margins have been tight in both recent T J Smith editions, with luck playing a significant role.

“There’s not a lot between them, two lengths between the top 10, and it’s luck on the day,” he said.

Jordan Childs will be aboard Magic Time this Saturday, having ridden her throughout her current preparation, including a first-up win in the Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick. Michael Dee partnered her in last year’s All Aged victory.

Magic Time claimed her first elite win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last spring, and another Group 1 success could be within reach if she gets the right run.