Magic Time announced her spring arrival in emphatic fashion at Caulfield, claiming the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) with a powerful finish.

The Grahame Begg-trained mare, sent out $3.90 favourite, produced a strong sprint under Michael Dee to beat Miss Roumbini ($6) and Abounding ($17). The win left her trainer weighing up whether to stick to original plans for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) or look to Sydney instead.

“She might be outweighed in the Rupert Clarke,” Begg admitted. “She was a 112-rater going into today’s race… but there’s no hurry to run her. This mare still has a good deal of improvement to come. Her coat is still nowhere near right yet, but the stimulation of a race day will bring her on greatly.”

It was a pleasing start for a mare who already boasts elite-level wins in both Melbourne and Sydney. “There are options in Sydney as well, so we’ll work it out,” Begg said.

Dee, back aboard after missing her last Sydney campaign, was equally positive. “I’ve had good success aboard her, and I’m lucky enough to get back aboard her this prep,” he said. “It played out a little bit differently than we anticipated. They went a bit quick for her and she was struggling a little bit early, but once I got her into that three-wide line she prefers, she showed that turn of foot she always has.”