Music Magnate on song ahead of Group 2 Victory Stakes

PUNTERS are backing Music Magnate to hit the high notes in Saturday’s Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm.

The Doomben 10,000 champion has firmed into +120 for the 1200m feature after opening as the +130 favourite at online bookmaker Sportsbet.com.au.

The five-year-old gelding’s chief challenger is Takedown, slated a +210 chance ahead of Tumbler (+500) and Hopfgarten (+550).

Music Magnate’s recent form has been patchy, with January’s first-up win at the Group 2 Expressway Stakes followed by a fifth in an eight-strong field at the Canterbury Stakes and a 12th from 14 at The Galaxy last month.

But promising trial results and a proven ability to cope with a soggy track will hold the Bjorn Baker-trained prospect in good stead, according to Sportsbet’s Will Byrne.

“Music Magnate opened his Group 1 account in Brisbane last year and he looks in good shape for this year’s winter carnival campaign,” he said.

“He trialled well, has a great first-up record and can handle the wet, which may help on the tricky surface.”

The support act in Brisbane this weekend is the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic, where Dreams Aplenty is the +100 runaway after three wins on the trot.

Also under double digits are Spring Tycoon (+300 out from +290), Kubis (+650 in from +750) and Violate (+850 in from +900).

2017 Victory Stakes betting

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1600m Gunsynd Classic betting

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