World is Lucky Magic's oyster after Derby win
Sharon Zhang
Connections are looking at other horizons for Lucky Magic after the in-form galloper stamped his authority in the RM200,000 (S$60,500) Group 1 Meru Valley Resort Perak Derby (2,000m) in Ipoh on March 2.
Trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong had been brimming with confidence before the race at Perak Turf Club and Lucky Magic did not disappoint.
The Mendelssohn four-year-old was at his third win on the bounce after easily accounting for his Class 3 rivals in the Spring Festival Harmony Stakes (1,600m) at his last start on Jan 31.
Before that, he overcame a huge rise in class to capture the Group 1 Penang Gold Cup (2,000m) on Dec 29, 2024, handing the young Malaysian handler his first Group 1 win in five years of training in Malaysia.
Cheng has had a high opinion of the Jack Of All Trades Stable-owned gelding, who has now won six races from 10 starts in Malaysia, including two Group 1 wins.
The world could be his oyster for the up-and-coming youngster. After discussing with the owners, Cheng shared that Lucky Magic would be aimed at international races in the near future.
"We have bigger dreams in mind for such a talented horse. He's that good," said Cheng.
"I have spoken to the owners about running him overseas and they agreed. I will also speak to Selangor Turf Club to see how we can go about sending him for the international races.
"It's been very long since Malaysia had a runner on the international stage, but we think he has the ability, so why not?"
Lucky Magic looked to be at the peak of his career, judging by his brilliant win in the Perak Derby, albeit the race did not go completely as planned.
After Black Thorn and So We Fight were scratched before the race, eight runners were left in the highly-anticipated Group 1 contest. Among them were two Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup winners Smart Star (2024) and Big Hearted (2020), as well as Good Fight, who ran second in the 2024 Penang Gold Cup.
Ridden by jockey Shafiq Rizuan, Lucky Magic ($10) jumped on terms from barrier four while Good Fight (Khaw Choon Kit) strolled to the front to lead.
Fountain Of Fame (Harmeet Singh Gill) settled on his girth while Ahtims Klis (Aify Yahaya) sat in third on the rails. Shafiq had Lucky Magic in close attendance behind Ahtims Klis in the backstraight.
When the field swung for home, Shafiq wanted to switch across heels to the outside, but with the David Kok-trained Smart Star (Laercio de Souza) also making his run at the top of the straight, the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice ducked back to the rails before setting Lucky Magic alight for the final sprint.
On the outside, former Singapore galloper Pacific Bao Bei (Rueven Ravindra) - a three-time winner over 2,000m - took the lead momentarily after sprinting past his stablemate, Smart Star.
Pacific Bao Bei looked like he could spring an upset, but Shafiq threw everything bar the kitchen sink at Lucky Magic and he gradually fought back to win by a length.
Honest galloper Good Fight finished another head away in third.
The race was, however, marred by the fall of Ahtims Klis near the 300m mark. The mare took a tumble behind Lucky Magic, causing her rider to crash into the ground. Aify was stood down from his remaining three rides while Ahtims Klis was led back to her enclosure after the fall.
Cheng was over the moon after Lucky Magic's first win in Ipoh.
"I was so sure he would win this (Perak Derby). He's a machine and he's very fit after his last win in the Class 3 race," he said.
"He jumped from barrier four. I told Shafiq to sit behind but go to the outside after turning for home because Lucky Magic comes home better from the outside.
"But Shafiq explained that he was blocked (by Smart Star), so he had no choice but to go to the inside. What matters is he still won.
"I plan to run him in a 1,400m race next. After that, he will go for the 4YO Mile Championship over 1,600m on July 20. If he's good enough, we will go overseas."
Lucky Magic was Cheng's fifth winner this season. The 34-year-old saddled five runners on the 10-card meeting on March 2. Besides Lucky Magic, two more turned up.
After bagging the big race, Cheng scored a quick back-to-back double with Kanthaka (Andre da Silva, $37), who won the RM35,500 Meru Hole-In-One Stakes, a Class 4A event (1,400m). Previously trained by Tan Kah Soon at Kranji, the Showcasing seven-year-old held Ghost Mari off for a half-length victory.
Cheng then popped the champagne with his third winner, Angel Baby ($10), in the RM20,000 Meru Albatross Stakes, a Class 5B event over 1,000m in the penultimate race.
A one-time winner from Singapore, the six-year-old son of Dissident cleared out for an easy win under Rueven Ravindra at his Malaysian debut.
"I thought Kanthaka can win too," said Cheng.
"I told Andre to lead, but he realised the pace was too fast, so he took the initiative to sit the horse in third and they won.
"Angel Baby is in good condition but the barrier 13 was the only concern."
sharonzhang@sph.com.sg
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