Dynamic mare Magnifisio will lead the local charge against Victorian raider Angelic Light in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week.

Magnifisio (5m Magnus – Ifestio by Key Business) firmed into a second-favourite for the $750,000 feature sprint on November 22 after winning the G2 Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.  She ran down game front-runner Fuchsia Bandana to score by a long-head.

“I haven’t let up on her in the last fortnight,” trainer Jim Taylor admitted.  “She’s 10kg lighter since that unplaced run in the Prince Of Wales.”

Taylor also revealed he faced an uphill battle getting stablemate Barakey ready for the Winterbottom.  He has been laid low by a virus and his likely withdrawal, along with that of Smoko, will seriously deplete the home defence.

Magnifisio was purchased for $80,000 from Rangeview Stud at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions and she has now earned over $730,000 for a partnership headed by Alan Macalister.  The Lee-Steere was her fifth black-type victory following the G3 Roma Cup, LR Northam Stakes, LR Crawford Stakes & LR Summer Scorcher.

Her dam Ifestio was a Listed winner of the 2004 Belmont Oaks and she is a sister to Barakey who claimed the 2012 Winterbottom.

Ifestio has a 4yo unraced mare named Wild Guess (So Secret) that was retained by Rangeview owners Rob and Jody Gray.  The mare’s final foal is a unnamed 3yo colt by So Secret.