Racing: Magnetism great - but watch for him next year

Ralph Manning won the $100,000 Great Northern Guineas with Magnetism on Saturday and immediately declared him a year off his best.

Magnetism has the superstar looks of a classic horse and was happy to show them off in a dogfight with outstanding filly Justa Tad.

Manning said Saturday was the best he's been able to parade the stylish son of Marju.

"He's been too fat and too full of himself. He was different today - usually he floats a bit in his action and it was good to see him put his head down for a change."

Magnetism needed to. As she has done many times, Justa Tad was not about to be beaten easily. She looked no chance of getting to Magnetism halfway down the home straight but displayed all the ticker imaginable to thrown down a persistent challenge.

As hard as Magnetism fought, Justa Tad fought slightly harder and would have won in two more strides.

The signal that Magnetism was going to be very smart was thrown out when he finished third to Ambitious Owner at group one level in late November.

"He didn't have the strength then that he's got now," said Manning.

Magnetism is owned by the proprietor of The Oaks Stud, Australian Dick Karreman, and is managed by Karreman's New Zealand representative, Rick Williams.

Plans have yet to be finalised, but there is a strong chance the decision will be made to take the 3-year-old to the Sydney autumn carnival.

"He won't run in the Derby; I'd rather see him racing at 2000m," said Williams.

Justa Tad lost nothing in defeat. She settled back and lost one length when she got onto the heels of That's Tops when the pace dropped dramatically at the 1000m. She was then run off on the bend when improving around That's Top on the home bend.

First-time rider Leith Innes was as impressed as he'd been unimpressed when the filly finished fourth at the Cambridge barrier trials.

"Halfway down the home straight I thought, well, she's got to get tired now, then suddenly she found two more gears.

"You just can't believe how game she is. But for being pushed out on the home bend she'd have won."