David Hayes trained his first winner at this year’s Flemington carnival when class act Backstedt scored a barnstorming victory in the VRC Vase (1600m) on Thursday.

Backstedt (4g Magnus – Lycra by Tights) has been a model of consistency for his owners and was overdue to win following a string of placings this year.  Hayes bought him for $50,000 at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale and the Vase victory increased his bank to $139,300.

Backstedt was bred by Rob Crabtree is named after Swedish professional cyclist Magnus Backstedt.  He is a first-crop son of Eliza Park International stallion Magnus and is the final foal of Group 1 winning NZ mare Lycra.

Like many of the Magnus breed, he appears to be getting better with age.  “One of the most amazing things about Magnus is his versatility,” Eliza Park manager Mark Lindsay said.  “He was an out and out speedster winning The Galaxy yet is siring horses like Magnetron who broke a class record for 2100m just recently.

“He’s had very good 2YOs, of course – stakes winner Platinum Kingdom being a shining example – but they really do appear to be coming into their own as 4YOs.

“And for those broodmare owners who think that November is too late to be breeding, it’s worth keeping in mind Lycra had a last service date of November 26.”

Magnus (Flying Spur) came close to a winning double on the Victorian Oaks program when Pompeius was narrowly beaten in the LR Connoisseur Stakes.

Eliza Park stands Magnus for a $13,200 (inc gst) service fee.