Ryan’s magic plan leads to Waterhouse win

Magic Alibi has won the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich.

A plan hatched six months ago has come to fruition, with Magic Alibi winning the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich.

Jockey Michael Cahill was able to get across to near the rails from a wide barrier on Magic Alibi ($9.50) and she finished too well to beat Foxy Housewife ($31) by a neck on Saturday, with 1-1/2 lengths to Plucky Girl ($4.60) in third.

Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan set Magic Alibi for the Waterhouse after she ran fourth to Invincibella in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares race in January.

“I felt the Waterhouse was a perfect race for her but my confidence was dented when she drew so wide,” Ryan said.

“But once Michael got across near the rails, I knew she would be hard to beat.”

Ryan had planned to run Magic Alibi at Doomben two weeks ago but scratched her because of a wet track.

“She ran in Sydney under a big weight instead and did a good job. She dropped in weight today and that helped,” he said.

Ryan will consider backing up Magic Alibi next Saturday in the Group One Tatts Tiara but it is unlikely.

“She is more likely to run again in Sydney in a fortnight,” he said.

Cahill said it had been a very strong effort over the 1350m and Magic Alibi could be up for better stakes races.