I’ve Got Magic, the vastly-improved American-bred four-year-old colt, put in a strong bid as one of the country’s top Grade campaigners after a forceful win in the Seeking My Dream Trophy feature on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

THE RACE

The Philip Feanny trainee ran down Runaway Algo on the wire to win by a neck in the three-year-old and upwards Open Allowance event over 7½ furlongs (1,500m). I’ve Got Magic won in a time of 1:32.2.

Ridden by Paul Francis at 55.5kgs (122 lb), I’ve Got Magic settled in second position down the backstretch behind the much-improved Runaway Algo (Christopher Mamdeen),with I Am Fred (Phillip Parchment) behind on the inside rails in third place and Crimson (Robert Halledeen) tracking outside in fourth.

I’ve Got Magic allowed I Am Fred to go by on leaving the five-furlong (1,000m) point but quickly took back his position going into the half mile (800m) turn as Runaway Algo upped the tempo, trying to steal a march on the rest of the field.

However, I’ve Got Magic ranged up on the outside entering the straight with Francis working overtime on the four-year-old American-bred colt. I’ve Got Magic eventually found another gear late and nipped his fellow foreigner on the line. Horse of the Year Further and Beyond (Linton Steadman) finished third.

COMMENTS — TRAINER PHILIP FEANNY

“This race is not a handicap race. It is a condition event. The last race we won with Excessive Force, that was a handicap race. For this race (the Seeking My Dream Trophy), the conditions are different and did not present the best opportunity for most participating in that race. Because a horse wins with the handicaps against him, it does not make the conditions are correct. The conditions of a race must be so tailored, at all times, to give horses moving up and horses moving down in grades, the benefit of a winning chance. That was not achieved in the Seeking My Dream and has to remedied as quickly as possible.”

THE POSITIVES

Do racing fans dare to believe once again that we have quality horses in ample supply in the top classes. This Seeking My Dream Trophy paraded a stellar field of eight including the Horse of the Year Further and Beyond, improving foreigners Runaway Algo, I’m Fred, Excessive Force and Race Car. With other horses coming through the ranks, the expectation is that more horses will be in the top ranks and thereby provide more meaningful and competitive races in the future that will bring even greater interest to the sport. In addition, to those horses already mentioned there is also the presence of Mahogany, possibly Lure of Lucy, Double Diva and Eroy is awaited. Plus, Duke, Crimson, Nuclear Noon and others are already in tow.

The performance of Paul Francis in the saddle atop I’ve Got Magic was a show of not only the riding prowess of this veteran but also his determination to win and his never say die attitude.

Runaway Algo has to be singled out for special mention. This US bred chestnut colt was the only three-year-old in the Seeking My Dream, and was racing for only the sixth occasion. Runaway Algo trained by Dale Murphy ran his heart out while exhibiting the unmistakeable qualities of class and true grit.

THE NEGATIVES

The performances by Further and Beyond and I Am Fred were lukewarm at best. For sure and given time, both will return with better efforts.