I’ve Got Magic to dazzle rivals in Alexander Hamilton Mem feature
PHILLIP Feanny’s American-bred I’ve Got Magic seems set to make it two wins in as many starts this season as he tackles four rivals in a three-year-old and upwards Open Allowance contest for the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Trophy over a mile (1,600m) at Caymanas Park today.
Post time on the 10-race card is noon.
Much like he did on his January 14 seasonal debut when he went straight to the front in the six-furlong (1,200m) St Catherine Cup event and made the event a mere formality, I’ve Got Magic should again prove the dictating pace here and — if allowed to wonder on his own — will prove hard to get back to.
I’ve Got Magic’s only concern on this occasion is the weight swing,as he will carry top weight 57.0kg (126lb), offering nine pounds to closest rival Duke who he had two and a half lengths behind in that St Catherine Cup.
Still, the imported five-year-old bay horse is highly versatile and, as such, will not have any issues with the distance, having placed fourth behind Horse of the Year contenders Mahogany and Excessive Force in the Ian Levy Cup at eight and a half furlongs (1,700m) on December 31. Tevin Foster retains the ride.
Should I’ve Got Magic make any mistake then Gary Subratie’s Duke is sure to mop up, provided his connection’s race plan goes accordingly.
Though getting on in age, the seven-year-old grey also remains a highly versatile and consistent sort as he continues to demonstrate grit and class in his performances. Prior to his second-place finish to I’ve Got Magic in the St Catherine Cup, he also ran a pleasing race to place second behind She’s My Destiny over 5 1/2 furlongs (1,100m), after a slow start on Boxing Day.
Duke comes in with both the distance and weight swing now in his favour and only requires a steady and timely ride from Dane Dawkins to turn the tables on I’ve Got Magic.
Jason DaCosta’s pair of Lure of Lucy and Miniature Man are most certainly expected to do their best to make things interesting, though toppling the top two seems a bit far-fetched.
Both are up in class from the Overnight Allowance level, with imported filly Lure of Lucy doing so on the back of a tidy three-length win over nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820m) on January 2.
She returns well prepared for this assignment with Omar Walker retaining the ride, and they will try pressing the pace with hopes that Miniature Man can produce a late charge to collar all and sundry if they falter.
However, after topping Lure of Lucy by a neck in a two-turn event on December 3, Miniature Man was soundly put in his place by Mahogany and company in that said Ian Levy Cup event in which I’ve Got Magic placed fourth.
That, coupled with the fact that he is out for the first time this season with female rider Abigail Able in the saddle, means Miniature Man’s task of winning this will by no means be easy.
Patrick Lynch’s El Profesor, to be ridden by Youville Pinnock, completes the line-up.
Ones to Watch
Race 1) Premier Identity/Select Me/Millinium Star/Asurety
Race 2) Dallas/Party Princess/Fiery Path/Storm Valley
Race 3) Wayne’s Princess/Big Guy In The Sky/Rhythm Buzz/Modern Miracle
Race 4) Lightning McQueen/Rum With Me/Versatile Vision/Stranger Danger
Race 5) Gentle Giant/Bin Laden/Lala Diva/Aphelios
Race 6) Wifey Sez So/Stormy Lady/Faukland
Race 7) I’ve Got Magic/Duke/Lure Of Lucy
Race 8) Is That A Fact/Luksol/Fred The Great/Gilbert
Race 9) She’s Fantastic/Outbidder/Lacrimae/KP Choice
Race 10) Ha Gow Siu Mei/Maggie’s Boy/Posing Already/Lord Burkington