Peter Moody’s team for the spring carnival was already bursting with potential before Black Caviar scored a brilliant victory in the MRC Blue Sapphire Stakes (LR) on May 2.

Besides G1 Coolmore Classic winner Typhoon Tracy, Moody will have Blue Diamond winner Reward For Effort and Golden Slipper runner-up Headway striving for 3yo divisional honours in 2009-10.

Black Caviar (2f Bel Esprit-Helsinge by Desert Sun) added her name to the mix with a six length victory against the colts at Caulfield.  She had won by five lengths first-up at Flemington in April.

Black Caviar is by Eliza Park sire Bel Esprit and is from an unraced half sister to G1 AJC Galaxy winner Magnus who was also prepared by Moody and is also standing at Eliza Park.

Magnus (Flying Spur) was truly something else as a racehorse and his never-say-die attitude won him a legion of fans.  He won the G1 AJC The Galaxy at Sydney’s autumn carnival and the G2 VRC Age Classic during Melbourne Cup week.

But it was some of the races he didn’t win that really stick in mind.  Magnus was placed in the VRC Newmarket, MRC Oakleigh Plate (twice) and the King’s Stand Stakes against the world’s best at Royal Ascot.

Magnus raced against the best in the business – Miss Andretti, Takeover Target, Apache Cat, Gold Edition and Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler.  And, what’s more, he’s the only entire among them!

Magnus won or placed in 10 G1 events and finished his career with over $1.3 million in prizemoney. 

He is from Scandinavia who was a G3 Blue Diamond Preview winner and ran placings in no less than four G1 events.  She is also a half sister to stakeswinners Frosty The Snowman, Midnight Sun and Russian Tea Room, but it’s her influence at stud that really has everyone sitting up and taking notice.

Aside from Magnus, Scandinavia has also produced Wilander who has won the G2 Schillaci Stakes, G3 Blue Diamond Preview and Listed ATA-Bob Hoysted Stakes.

Magnus is by Flying Spur and his pedigree has the speed influences of Danehill, Mr Prospector, Snippets, Vain and Lunchtime in the first three generations.

Flying Spur was Australia’s Champion Sire of 2006-07 thanks, in part, to Magnus who is one of nearly 70 stakes winners by the Arrowfield resident.

Not surprisingly, broodmare owners flocked to Magnus last season with his book including Aperto (dam of G1 winner Jymcarew), G1 winner and proven producer Isca, 2yo Group winner Millrich (dam of Danerich), G1 winner Danglissa and Vain Hill (dam of G1 winner Red Dazzler).

They will return in droves this spring now that Eliza Park has reduced the Magnus service fee by 20% to $22,500 (inc. gst) with a live foal guarantee and extended payment terms to 31 March 2010.