Racing: Dealer Principal comes up trumps in classy return to track

SYDNEY - A winning return by group one winner Dealer Principal at Randwick on Saturday has set him up to again reach the highest level.

The 2008 Rosehill Guineas winner spent more than a year off the scene, recovering from a fracture at the back of his knee suffered in a trackwork accident.

Trainer Anthony Cummings persevered and the 5-year-old gave his rivals in the AJC Members Handicap (1300m) a galloping lesson.

Rod Quinn eased Dealer Principal ($5) out at the top of the straight and he gathered in his rivals to kick clear 200m out.

Imperial Applause ($81) gave chase but could get within only 2 lengths, with Noble Edict ($10) holding third, a half-length away.

Cummings was on the Gold Coast where Tallow ran second in the Magic Millions Trophy, leaving foreman Barry Smith to savour the win with an excited group of owners.

"It's a great comeback, he's a class act," Smith said.

"There's plenty of improvement still to come. The plan was to just get through today first and then see where he goes."

Quinn has ridden many good horses and group one winners during his long career and was in no doubt about the quality of his mount.

"The horse said it all. The pace suited him but at the 700m, I would have loved to stay where I was but he was doing it too easy. He ambled up and got to the front and I just hoped he could keep going.

"But he was dominant and felt super. He just had the class."

With many of Sydney's leading jockeys riding at the Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting, the day belonged to apprentice riders, with Quinn and Josh Parr upholding the senior ranks.

Parr rode Zutara to win the 2-year-old race, initially sharing the spoils with Third Man in a deadheat.

After a protest by third-placed Ilovethiscity against Third Man was upheld, there was no need for stewards to rule on Parr's objection against Nathan Berry on Third Man.

Parr made it a double on Clothing in the Octagonal Handicap (1200m).

Junior riders Kody Nestor, Josh Adams, Mitchell Beadman, Tommy Berry and Nathan Berry rode the rest of the winners on the programme.

The rich autumn fillies' races await Magic Model, who made her intentions clear with a strong win. Magic Model ($7.50) came with a big finish under Adams to claim the Mahogany Hcp (1200m) by two lengths from Killian ($2.20 fav) who edged Movie ($9.50) for second by a half-head.

Trainer David Payne has always had a high opinion of Magic Model, who raced against the best 3-year-olds in spring without success.

Said Payne: "She was running in much better races in the spring against the likes of Denman."

- AAP