Image: Bradley Photos.
There’s no denying it. The hype surrounding up-and-coming star Mogo Magic is very much real.
The three-year-old withstood an early speed battle and still put a good field of country runners to the sword when comfortably winning the 1100m Class Three Highway Handicap at Rosehill Gardena on Saturday.
Ridden by jockey Nick Heywood, the Scott Collings-trained Mogo Magic started the $1.65 favourite and was plain and simply at another level, putting over a length on the Cameron Crockett-trained Salire ($12), while just on two lengths back was the Terry Robinson-trained Tai Lung ($21).
Heywood, who ventured to town for the one ride, agreed that the excitement around the Goulburn galloper is warranted.
“Knowing the horse, and with what Scott knows about the horse, he definitely deserves all the hype,” Heywood said.
“He still needs to prove himself in stronger company, and in time, and in a high-pressure race, he should be able to take the drop and sit off them, and he’ll have a better turn of foot doing that.”
In an ominous sign to rivals, Heywood, who’s ridden the likes of other country racing stars Another One and Handle The Truth, believes there is much improvement left in Mogo Magic, which has now won four from four, including back-to-back wins in Highway Handicaps.
“The thing about him is that he is still learning his craft, and his legs are all over the place, and he wandered out late,” Heywood said.
“I rode Redzel at trackwork, and he’s the best horse I’ve been on, and what he did at trackwork and what Mogo Magic is doing with his times, the sky’s the limit for him.
“Once he harnesses that ability and is a fully finished horse, it’s scary to think where he will end up.”
Heywood has ridden the Duporth gelding to three of his wins, along with a trial victory at Goulburn, and he explained that the unbeaten galloper ‘doesn’t feel fast’ but that he proved he is low-flying at Rosehill Gardens.
“He is very deceiving; I’ve ridden him in a couple of gallops, and considering the times he runs, he doesn’t feel like he is going that quick,” Heywood said.
“He felt the same today, but I knew we were going pretty quick, and they kept me honest, but he was too good.
“He was first-up, with 60kg, and they annoyed him the whole way, but winning like that is pretty impressive.”
For a group of country owners scattered throughout the South East in Goulburn, Harden, Jugiong, and surrounds, they’ve backed their horse, turning down big money offers from Hong Kong, understood to be as much as $1.2 million.
Heywood said it was an exciting time for connections and that he was thrilled to be involved as they chase racing glory.
“Money can’t buy the adrenalin and nerve you get when any horse races, let only a good horse like Mogo Magic,” Heywood said.
“You’ve got to enjoy those nerves, and that’s what life is about, enjoying those moments and having something to look forward to.”
The ownership group will undoubtedly be dreaming of a Kosciuszko berth for their rising four-year-old, with the $2 million country-only race to be staged over the 1200m at Royal Randwick on October 14.
It is a slot holder race, with tickets won by the general betting public, and Heywood believes he is right up to the challenge and deserves to be one of the first picked.
“Front Page, Luke Pepper’s horse (Opal Ridge), and Mogo Magic are your top three, and after what he has shown us, he deserves his chance,” Heywood said.
For more on the Kosciuszko, click here.
