*Article by Brad Waters for racenet
A spring clash with a smart sprinter has inspired trainer Brian McGrath's confidence in consistent sprinter Pink Beau Ty handling another class rise at Flemington on Saturday.
Pink Beau Ty finished just over two lengths from progressive galloper Rey Magnerio when the pair met at Flemington during last year's Melbourne Cup Carnival.
McGrath said Pink Beau Ty had excuses for that result after which the four-year-old has posted two wins and a second in three starts.
The Cranbourne trainer was looking forward to learning whether his judgement was right when Pink Beau Ty meets Rey Magnerio on similar weight terms in a Benchmark 84 race on Saturday.
"We have the utmost respect for Rey Magnerio and he looks a good horse on the up," McGrath said.
"We were on the wrong side that day (at Flemington) and I just thought he was quite an inexperienced horse all on his own on the far side.
"I thought he did a really good job and I think he would have been a bit closer if he was in the pack.
"But he is a better horse now. I'm sure Rey Magnerio is as well but it will be interesting to see if we actually have breached that gap."
Pink Beau Ty was a strong winner at Benchmark 70 level at The Valley at his last run, beating Jungle Jim, who showed the strength of that form when winning at Flemington last Saturday.
McGrath resisted the temptation to test Pink Beau Ty in last Saturday's Group 3 Standish Handicap, preferring the better handicap conditions of Saturday's assignment.
Jockey Thomas Stockdale will again ride Pink Beau Ty at Flemington.
"He's been riding really well for the stable and I thought he did a brilliant job last time," McGrath said.