Image: Bradley Photos.
The most exciting country-trained horse in Australia, Mogo Magic, made it five wins from five starts when taking out the $150,000 Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m ) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Goulburn trainer Scott Collings had the three-year-old trained to perfection as he stepped up from country grade to the metropolitan ranks for the first time.
Ridden a treat by Nick Heywood, Mogo Magic ($2.80) jumped reasonably from gate five before slicing through the field to sit outside early leader Authentic Jewell (Hannah Williams, $12).
When called up, the Goulburn galloper let rip and found the front before holding on for an excellent win from the Jarrod Austin-trained Vindication (Chad Schofield, $7) in second and Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Smashing Eagle (Jason Collett, $9) in third.
With the $2 million The Kosciuszko Collings’ goal for Mogo Magic, he was thrilled to see his galloper win without leading.
“It was probably a good thing today that he was a bit slow away because he’s shown everyone that he’s not just a leader; he can have a sit as well,” Collings said.
“It was a good run with 60kg, and his first time in Benchmark grade, and to win like he did, it’s a good effort.”
Mogo Magic is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and Collings will leave no stone unturned in having him ready to be selected in 2023 The Kosciuszko, which will be run and won at Royal Randwick on October 14.
“The plan is now, he’ll go home and have a break, he’ll trial at Goulburn the day the slots are drawn, and we’ll have a crack at 1200m before the Kozi,” Collings said.
While untried at six furlongs, Mogo Magic’s trainer doesn’t believe it will pose an issue.
“I think on today’s efforts, 1200m is not going to be a problem,” Collings said.
Heywood agreed with Collings regarding the challenge of Mogo Magic sprinting 1200m against the best horses in country NSW.
“I don’t think so,” Heywood replied when asked if 1200m would pose an issue for Mogo Magic.
“He puts himself in a winning position from the get-go, and a lot of horses make their own luck, and he’s one of them.”
In an ominous sign to rivals, Heywood suggested that connections were yet to see the best of their Duporth gelding.
“We still haven’t got to the bottom of him yet,” Heywood said.
“I just like the way that he came back to me when I let that leader go, and geez, he let rip today.”
Heywood has been working with Collings and Mogo Magic, and the Goulburn jockey was just as excited as connections after the galloper’s eye-catching victory.
“I was quite comfortable to let the leader go, given a nice enough clip, we didn’t go too quick, so we did dictate it, but I knew in his work, we’ve been teaching him to sit off, and he went straight past them, and it worked out ideal today,” Heywood said.
“Scotty is doing an amazing job with his horses, and we’re having a good season and were lucky enough to get that won in before the end (of the season).”
Following his win at Royal Randwick, Mogo Magic has firmed to $5 second favourite with Thunderbet.
2022 winner Front Page is $6.50, Opal Ridge is $5, while Far Too Easy is $4.60 favourite.
