Lucky Magic casts his spell in Perak Derby

With the Penang Gold Cup and Perak Derby trophies in the bag, the connections of Lucky Magic are setting their sights on the biggest prize of the season, the RM1 million 4YO Mile Championship at Sungei Besi on July 20.

“He (Lucky Magic) will not run again until the million ringgit race,” trainer Cheng Han Yong said after the son of Mendelssohn carved out a gutsy win in the RM200,000 Perak Derby (2000m) in Ipoh today to make it six wins in 10 career starts.

Purchased by Cheng himself for NZ$75,000 at the 2022 Ready To Run Sale, Lucky Magic won three races in the lower ranks (Open Maiden and Class 4) before finishing second to Wiseman in the RM150,000 Penang Mile for Class 4 horses last Nov 9 in his first outing outside of Sungai Besi.

That convinced Cheng of his potential and he sent the New Zealand gelding back to Penang a month later to win the RM300,000 Penang Gold Cup (2000m), defeating Good Fight and company.

Back on home turf and now promoted to Class 3, Lucky Magic carved out an easy win over 1600m on Jan 31.

In the Perak Derby today, Lucky Magic was not only up against Good Fight again, but also facing former Singapore Gold Cup winners Smart Star (2024) and Big Hearted (2020).

Ridden by Shafiq Mat Rusof who has won twice on the gelding before, including his last start, Lucky Magic settled in midfield in the eight-horse race (after two horses were withdrawn on course).

Good Fight as usual set the pace with Fountain Of Fame, winner of his last four starts, tracking him. Lucky Magic was in fifth spot most of the way.

Good Fight led into the straight from Fountain Of Fame. And from the tailend early, Pacific Bao Bei had moved up to third, ahead of the mare Ahtims Klis. Lucky Magic was just behind them.

Good Fight was holding them at bay till the 200m when Pacific Bao Bei and Smart Star ranged along him on the outside and headed him momentarily shortly after. Lucky Magic had found a run on their inside and closing in on the leaders.

Pacific Bao Bei hit the front 100m out but Lucky Magic came charging home on the rails to beat him by three quarters of a length. Good Fight fought back gallantly for third, ahead Smart Star who failed to run on in the final 50m.

“He just keeps on improving,” said Cheng of Lucky Magic.

“It was a gutsy win by Lucky Magic,” said Shafiq.

“We had rough passages making the first turn into the back straight. I wanted to be closer to the lead but I had to ease him back when we had nowhere to go.

“He is a smart horse who knows when to turn it on.

“In the straight, I was denied a clear run between horses and had to switch him to the inside of the horses in front. Unfortunately, I also caused interference.”

Shafiq was suspended three days for shifting in when insufficiently clear of Ahtims Klis who clipped his heels and fell at the 300m.

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