Gold Coast trainer Maryann Thexton notched her first Group victory when Za Magic scored an upset win in the Doomben Classic, and she's already dreaming of victory at the ultimate level next month.Thexton had previously enjoyed success at Listed level with her former stable star Omnitrader and was overjoyed after scoring her first Group Three winner."It's my biggest thrill. That's been a long time coming and it feels great," Thexton said."It's a wonderful feeling to win a Group race and now I'm h

Gold Coast trainer Maryann Thexton notched her first Group victory when Za Magic scored an upset win in the Doomben Classic, and she's already dreaming of victory at the ultimate level next month.

Thexton had previously enjoyed success at Listed level with her former stable star Omnitrader and was overjoyed after scoring her first Group Three winner.

"It's my biggest thrill. That's been a long time coming and it feels great," Thexton said.

"It's a wonderful feeling to win a Group race and now I'm hoping this horse might give me my first Group One."

Za Magic ($15), aided by a perfect Brad Stewart ride, crossed from a wide barrier and settled perfectly in fourth spot.

He sprinted quickly rounding the corner and never looked like getting run down.

Well-supported favourite Orca ($2.50) steamed home from well back but he was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight and Za Magic held him comfortably in the straight to score by a 1-3/4 lengths.

Wyong gelding Jimmy Fortunes ($15) battled on strongly after travelling midfield to finish a neck back in third.

Thexton paid $36,000 for Za Magic at the Magic Millions weanling sale and she's now eyeing her first Queensland Derby starter with the Magic Albert gelding.

The Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) is run at Eagle Farm June 6 and Thexton said Za Magic would follow the traditional path to the blue riband event via the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben in two weeks.

"I can't see why he won't stay. Brad rode him perfectly today and it was his plan to go forward providing he jumped well," Thexton said.

"He relaxed beautifully during the run and he was very strong on the line."

Stewart, one of Queensland's most gifted jockeys, agreed with Thexton and said Za Magic was full of running at the end of the race.

"He hadn't done any work during the run so I decided to get going before the turn and it all worked out well," Stewart said.

"He'll get the extra trip in my opinion on that run."