As if Magpie Hector wasn't going to be hard enough to beat in The 715 series, a track record-breaking trial at The Gardens has sent a collective shiver down the spines of his rivals ahead of the world's richest staying event.
Magpie Hector's travelling feature race roadshow, which has already netted three Group 1 victories in 2026 for Forbes trainer Jack Smith, most recently the Association Cup at Wentworth Park, will roll into Newcastle on Friday night for the heats of The 715.
Next Friday's final carries a $250,000 winner's purse, with Smith chasing a second victory in the race after Miss Ezmae claimed the inaugural edition in 2022.
"They've cut the prize money in half now!" Smith quipped.
"It was worth half a million when Miss Ezmae won it. But I'm not complaining about $250,000."
In preparation for The 715, Magpie Hector, a son of Smith's Group 1-winning sprinter Feral Franky and Foxy Bourbski, trialled at The Gardens over 515m last Friday and clocked a jaw-dropping 28.94, breaking the track record of 28.96 held by French Martini.
"It did surprise me a little bit," Smith said.
"He got home in 11.71 in his trial. I don't know what the record run-home there is, but that's just flying.
"He's a fast dog. His first section is always a bit ordinary but he's got such a big motor."
"I have had other dogs run quick at The Gardens first look.
"I remember taking Brad Hill Billy there years ago (2015), he'd never seen the place, and he broke the record running second to a dog of Jason Mackay's (Smart Missile) in a heat of the Black Top."
Winner of 16 from 33, Magpie Hector will have his first race start at The Gardens in the first of five heats of The 715, where he dominates betting from box four.
"He's come up $1.40, so I'll leave it to the experts and hope they're right," said Smith.
"The smaller field will suit him as well.
"Everybody is saying he wants to draw outside and I know he can handle outside, but I'd like to see him draw inside.
"I want to see him learn to race from inside. Even if gets held up and comes late like Palawa King.
"Because he keeps drawing wide, I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.
"If you watch his last run at Wentworth Park, he comes out ordinary and that's on him, but for a dog to be pushed as wide as he was and still get into the position he got himself, that takes some doing. And then to still have something at the finish."
