The Myer Approaches

The extravaganza of Derby Day will test the endurance of Team Pfieffer as Denmagic faces her biggest test in arguably the premier race for mares - the G1 Myer Classic.

In what many have described as a luckless campaign, Denmagic proved her above average quality was worthy of a crack at the famous Flemington mile, where a wider track and big field look to provide the winning formula at last.

"I'm keen to get her to the big track, as she has a lovely big stride and likes a bit of room to wind up; something she has been deprived of at her most recent runs" said Pfieffer.

The Myer Classic, registered as the Kingston Rule Stakes, has long been the goal for the daughter of Denman after a string of stakes placings and impressive runs in Queensland reinforced her place as one of the country's top sprinter/miler mares; with form around First Seal, Tsaritsa, Dixie Blossoms, Pearls, Tycoon Tara and Serene Majesty.

Denmagic will meet a number of these opponents this Saturday, yet after drawing barrier 6 in the big field and with the services of Tommy Berry in her favour the confidence surrounding the big bay has grown exponentially this week.

"I was hoping for barrier six to eleven, and we got six, so I was more than relieved after the luck I've been having with (barrier) draws of late" said Pfieffer.

The draw may have worked in Denmagic's favour, but Pfieffer is certainly mindful of the level of competition he faces and is well aware of the difficulty in fulfilling the Group 1 goal.

As always, Denmagic provided a polished workout on Tuesday and the online form bible Racenet was quick to assess the mare's gallop as the "standout" of the morning.

Denmagic looked "right at home" in a solid hit out on the course proper early Tuesday morning, guided by Tommy Berry the mare was in "cruise control" and "comfortable on her Melbourne leg" to give Pfieffer no reason for any doubt leading into such a momentous race.

Galloping over 800m in 49.17 and clocking a swift 24.31 for her final 200m, Denmagic was the fastest of the morning against the likes of Slipper hero Capitalist, Waller's classy colt Counterattack, and her fellow Myer runners First Seal and Zanbagh.

"Short and sharp, strong through the line" commented Darryl Sherer, an astute racing aficionado who founded the popular ANZ Bloodstock News and now regularly contributes to the Racenet news feed.

Denmagic is a mare that consistently makes punter's black books and even at double-figure odds is amongst the tipsters top four selections, but for Saturday's race she sits firmly on the second line of betting behind her nemesis First Seal, who has drawn the inside gate.

"First Seal is a G1 winning mare who is back to peak form so we can't discount her class. Plus the race features Don't Doubt Mamma, who has strung a couple of top wins together in Melbourne.

"A majority of the field has raced with her in similar races in Sydney, so I know she is up to them".

Pfieffer couldn't be happier with his sole Melbourne representative, who has been under the watchful eye of the travelling foreman, Sue O'Keeffe.

Amongst the bustle of Kavanagh's Flemington base, Denmagic formed an unlikely friendship with fellow visitor Buffering - a "warrior" of the Australian turf who accumulated a cult following with dogged G1 sprint victories against the best generation of sprinting power the racing world had seen; a list of celebrity horses that included the likes of Black Caviar and Hay List.

"She would call to him when he came back from work and they looked at each other constantly" said O'Keeffe.

"The first time they met, 'Denny' tried to bite him, but they soon became loved up. He is certainly good with the ladies".

A few inside tips from the champion sprinter, a G1 winner at Flemington amongst his record 'world conquering' haul of over $7 million prizemoney, hopefully passed between the stalls this week.