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By Tony Megahey

Regional great Ron Stubbs has upped the ante with airborne Moonee Valley winner Sparring engaging the clout of James McDonald for Saturday’s Royal Randwick TAB Highway.

The opening betting market surprises with unbeaten Mogo Magic heavily backed ($4.20 into $2.30 favourite on TAB) and $6 for Sparring who has been kept away from rain-affected tracks by the Albury trainer.

Logically, Sparring’s recent Moonee Valley win and an early Sandown second compared to a Sapphire maiden and Wagga Wagga wins by Mogo Magic has to challenge opening markets.

Mogo Music (Nick Heywood) wins at Sapphire Coast. Image by Bradley Photographers

Quite aside from Team McDonald seeking the ride. However, the track conditions are crucial.

Stubbs emphasised Sparring doesn’t handle rain-affected tracks and has failed previously at Randwick on it, and the track has taken some overnight rain.

Significantly Stubbs has remained in contact with Team McDonald since he rode the speedster previously.

Ron had nominated for an earlier Highway but when the rain came he stayed home.

But bolstering the confidence for a return, Stubbs will travel to Randwick instead of South Australia where his class five-race winning mare Boss Lady Rocks races on Friday at Murray Bridge after last week’s postponement.

Sparring is absolutely placed to perfection off a Moonee Valley win and earlier Sandown placing in a Class 2, TAB, $120,000, 1100m with 59.5kg for McDonald.

Stubbs is having a spectacular season with a small team winning Highways with Tap ‘N’ Run and Baledon while Boss Lady Rocks won her second race at the “The Valley” the same night as Sparring.

“Best team I’ve ever had by far, we’ve been up for Highways before but not with the quality. When we missed a run with the bad weather we trialled to compensate.”

Stubbs has won city races in three states over many years including his Flemington winner Spunlargo.

Meanwhile Mogo Magic has won his only two starts by a total of 10 plus lengths at long odds-on. And amazingly ran a near track record (56.61) at Sapphire Coast winning a modest 1000m maiden in November. Mogo Magic has 55.5kg for Tim Clark.

Over to trainer and work rider Scott Collings: “Strongest Highway I’ve seen, but we wouldn’t be coming if we didn’t think he was up to it,” Collings offered.

“He hasn’t beaten much but when they win by that far and run time, you don’t know how far they might take it.

“He’s pretty smart, we won’t die wondering and it’s still a country class 2. We’ve got an opinion of him, lovely progressive three-year-old.

“And every jock that’s been on him he gives them that feel. He won a trial hard held.

“He's where we want him after a freshen. He’ll be on-pace, can lead but be just as effective with a sit.”

Collings rides his own work and is having a super season with a small team.

A Highway winner Scott’s spelling stable star Ten Bells has won three races in town and overall, six from 12 starts and is set for the upcoming Newhaven Park Country Championships.

Mogo Magic is named after the inspiring and historic far south coast village that was burnt out by the devastating fires three years ago.  Mogo had to be rebuilt and the flames reached the car park of the famed Mogo Zoo.

Randwick at present is a Soft 5 after 18.5mls of overnight rain.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Royal Randwick here