Yarraman Park sire Magic Albert grabbed his third Australasian Group 1 thanks to quality colt Ilovethiscity in the Randwick Guineas on Saturday.

Starting favourite after a recent victory in the G2 Hobartville Stakes, Ilovethiscity burst to the front as the field turned for home and then held off Skilled (Commands) and Light Brigade (Redoute’s Choice).

Ilovethiscity (3c Magic Albert – Kensington Rose by Kenfair) is a good looking chestnut in the same mould as his sire.  “He will go for the George Ryder and then the Doncaster Mile,” trainer Grahame Begg said.  “Things didn’t work out for him in the spring so this result is great for the stable.”

Ilovethiscity was the unlucky runner when third in the G1 Golden Rose in August and then claimed a G3 victory in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle.  He was spelled after pulling up sore in the G1 Caulfield Guineas in October.

A $40,000 Fairview Park Stud graduate of the 2009 Inglis Classic yearling sale, Ilovethiscity is raced by a large syndicate who enjoyed plenty of success with the former Begg trained gelding Handsupfordetroit.  His BOBS bonuses were used to double up and purchase the Randwick Guineas winner.

Ilovethiscity has already won $746,300 in prizemoney from four wins and three placings from just 11 starts.  He hails from the family of G1 winners Mahaya (AJC Oaks) and Dalmacia (AJC Epsom Handicap) who were both trained by Begg’s father Neville.

Magic Albert covered Kensington Rose again last year and the mare is back in foal to him.  

Magic Albert (Zeditave) has sired 202 individual winners of 441 races at a 63% strike rate.  He has been represented by 10 stakes winners and Ilovethiscity joins Albert The Fat (BTC Cup) and Magic Cape (NZ 2000 Guineas) at the elite level.