A big team of delighted owners were on hand to see talented Star Witness filly Magic Alibi score a stylish first up win at Canterbury on Wednesday for the Gerald Ryan stable.

Fourth at her only previous run in April, Magic Alibi showed plenty of dash to race up on the pace and was too good in the run to the line, kicking on strongly for Brenton Avdulla to win the 1200 metre maiden by more than a length.

“It’s a great result for the owners, they bred this filly and raced her mother,” revealed Gerald Ryan.

“Clarry Conners trained her and always told them she had stakes ability, but was a bit unsound.

“She’ll improve a lot from this and we’ll work through her grades from here.”

Bred by the Laing Racing Syndicate, Magic Alibi was offered at the Magic Millions by Widden Stud as agent but passed in shy of her reserve and is the first foal of This Magic Moment.

A minor winner by Magic Albert, This Magic Moment is a grand-daughter of Group I Queensland Oaks winner Tristram Rose.

Magic Alibi is the sixth winner this season for dual Group I winner Star Witness, who stands at a fee of $22,000.