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By Ray Hickson

There’s a bit of unfinished business for Grahame Begg and Magic Time when it comes to the Group 2 $2 million The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Magic Time was narrowly beaten as favourite in the mares feature a year ago after sitting three wide on the speed and Begg is banking on a Nash Rawiller special to avoid a repeat after the mare drew wide once again.

On the plus side, Begg has set Magic Time for The Invitation and he says her first-up performance told him she’s on target.

Trainer Grahame Begg. (Pic: Steve Hart)

The five-year-old tackled the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) three weeks ago and after being crowded near the line was beaten just over a length by Right To Party.

“We were very happy, she wasn’t 100 per cent wound right up for her first-up run,’’ he said.

“The last couple of preparations she’s derived very good improvement from first-up to second-up so we left a little bit to come.

“She’s taken significant improvement from the run which she normally does, she really steps up second-up.”

Rawiller has had one ride on Magic Time, $4 with TAB on Friday, for a win in The Nivison last year, her lead up to The Invitation, and Begg had no hesitation in booking him for the ride.

He said Magic Time, who won the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at weight-for-age back in April at her last run at Randwick, has the tactical speed to do whatever Rawiller feels necessary to offset the wide barrier so he’ll have options.

“I think we have to leave it up to him, she does begin well into the bridle so I guess she will put herself up there somewhere,’’ Begg said.

“Michael Dee was required at Moonee Valley, Nash had won on her before, he won the Nivison on her last year so it was a good decision to put him on.

“I think she just likes a bit of galloping room. When she won the Rupert Clarke she sat three wide, obviously it was handicap conditions and she had a light weight, but she had good galloping room.

“In the All Aged Stakes she had a lot of galloping room, I know it was an extremely heavy track but she was in a good rhythm and that’s very important with her.”

Begg has great respect for Magic Time’s opposition saying it appears to be a race with plenty of depth.

“It’s come up stronger than I anticipated, not that there are any pushovers,’’ he said.

“Zougotcha’s a very good mare, Olentia had a victory over us as a three-year-old filly.”

The outcome of The Invitation could decide whether Begg presses on for another start this spring before easing up with another Sydney autumn campaign in mind.

He said the Group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill in two weeks or the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke are options.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting