So Magnificent has proven to be quite the progressive gelding, but will asking him to climb Kosciuszko prove to be a step too far? Trainer Todd Smart certainly doesn’t think so.
All eyes will be on Royal Randwick this Saturday, October 18, as Canberra trainer Todd Smart prepares to saddle up one of the most exciting young country gallopers, So Magnificent, for a tilt at the $2 million The Kosciuszko (1200m).
The four-year-old gelding has rapidly transitioned from a promising local talent to a genuine contender in the world’s richest race for country-trained horses, carrying the dreams of his connections and slot winner into the Sydney Spring Carnival.
So Magnificent, a son of champion sire So You Think, has enjoyed a meteoric rise that few could have predicted earlier this year. His form heading into the $2 million contest is exceptional, showcasing a perfect blend of natural talent and sharp preparation.
The gelding boasts a superb career record of four wins and one third from just five starts, giving him an eye-catching 80% winning strike rate. The defining performance that propelled him into Kosciuszko contention came in his first-up run this preparation at Randwick.
On September 6, So Magnificent took out a rich TAB Highway Handicap (Class 3) over 1200m with authority, dictating the pace and drawing clear to win by a comfortable 1.2 lengths. This city victory confirmed his class and advertised his readiness for elite competition.
Before his Sydney raid, the bay gelding had strung together three consecutive wins through the early part of the year, culminating in a Class 2 victory over 1400m at Orange in March. It’s important to note, however, that the gelding was subsequently found to have bled from both nostrils after that win, incurring a mandatory ban.
Trainer Todd Smart has meticulously managed his return, and the dominant first-up Highway win suggested any residual concerns are long forgotten.
The unique nature of The Kosciuszko ensures that every runner has a compelling story, and So Magnificent is no exception. His entry into the final field of 14 was secured by slot winner Michael Borosdevi of Croydon Park, who won his right to an entry through the public sweepstakes. The partnership represents the grassroots spirit of the race—an ordinary punter joining forces with a country stable for a shot at racing glory.
Canberra-based trainer Todd Smart has long believed in the potential of So Magnificent. For trainers operating outside the metropolitan hub, the Kosciuszko represents a career-defining opportunity. Smart has carefully curated the gelding’s path, maximising his country eligibility while testing him against city-class rivals to confirm his suitability for the Randwick pressure cooker.
With the horse drawing well and Billy Owen retaining the ride, the stable is bullish about their chances. So Magnificent’s breeding is also worth noting; by So You Think out of the Helmet mare Spanner Head, he possesses a pedigree that suggests both a strong finish and the ability to handle the 1200m sprint distance.
Despite his outstanding recent form, So Magnificent enters The Kosciuszko as one of the relative outsiders in a fiercely competitive field.
In the pre-post betting markets, he is currently priced around $26 for the win, with his place odds at approximately $7.25.
While his price places him behind favourites like two-time winner Front Page and the highly-regarded Clear Thinking, his current odds offer significant value for punters backing a horse with an unexposed ceiling and a sharp turn of foot. His performance in the Highway suggests he is much better than his long odds imply.
The betting reflects the competitive nature of the race, which often sees high-class, but less exposed, country sprinters from various regions take on established stars. For those looking for an upset, the form of So Magnificent, coupled with the proven strike-rate of the trainer/jockey combination, presents an appealing case.
The $2 million The Kosciuszko will be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 18, on the undercard of the $20 million Everest. The set weights and penalties conditions favour horses stepping up in class, and the 1200m distance is precisely where So Magnificent has excelled. The gelding’s most recent barrier trial on September 26 at Randwick showed him finishing fourth, a sharp tune-up that has him primed for a peak performance. If he can secure a favourable run from the gates and replicate the dominant speed he showed in the Highway, So Magnificent is capable of causing a major upset and delivering a truly magnificent result for the Todd Smart stable and his slot-holding connections. All roads lead to Randwick, where a new country hero could be crowned.
– Tully Potts
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