Shane Sanderson and Atua Magic are set to head to Queensland to contest the richest juvenile race in Australia, the $500,000 Protostar.

The unbeaten youngster will race for the Willowood Farms slot in the 1660m event at Albion Park on July 12.

Atua Magic, a colt with prestigious breeding, was purchased from the 2024 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale in Auckland by Paul and Daniel Lowry and went into the care of Sanderson in Murchison North.

He is by Bettors Delight out of Double Twist, a mare from the same family as King Of Swing. He is now owned by a group including the Lowrys and Willowood Farms.

"I believe he will be a very, very good horse, but I think he’ll be even better with time," said Sanderson of the lightly-raced colt.

"I still think he has the ability to be competitive, because otherwise we wouldn’t be going. But I think as he matures, especially next year, he’ll be a very good horse."

Atua Magic has had two starts in Australia and delivered comfortable, impressive victories at both Shepparton and Bendigo.

The stable is also taking talented mare Gotta Hav Me north for the carnival.
"Gotta Hav Me is coming up to run in the lower mares’ races up there," Sanderson said.

Sanderson will be based at Redcliffe for the carnival, a track where he previously trained before relocating interstate.

"We’ll be staying in Redcliffe. I’m from there, so that’s where we’ll be based," he said.

"The Protostar is a great concept and we’re very positive and excited to be part of it.

“He’s a promising horse and we’re so excited to be part of the Protostar."

Atua Magic joins the three other runners currently confirmed for the 2025 Protostar, including Rewatch (Ladbrokes slot holder), Showmethetanlines (GSM Racing), and Cardigan Dan (Ballarat and District Trotting Club/Durham Park).

 

Photos: NZB Standardbred and Claire Weston Photography