Lucky Magic (NZ) Powers to Perak Derby Victory

A dominant come-from-behind win in Sunday’s RM200,000 Perak Derby (2000m) may have earned Karaka graduate Lucky Magic (NZ) (Mendelssohn) an opportunity to represent Malaysia on the world stage.

Lucky Magic was offered by Prima Park at both Karaka 2022 and the Ready to Run Sale. He was a $35,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, then was bought by trainer HY Cheng for $75,000 at the Ready to Run Sale.

Lucky Magic has made a big impression in a 10-race career in Malaysia, winning six times including the Perak Derby and December’s Penang Gold Cup (2000m). Lucky Magic has earned over RM340,000, which is the equivalent of more than NZ$135,000.

Sunday’s Perak Derby was possibly the four-year-old’s most convincing performance yet. After initially settling in midfield and over-racing, Lucky Magic got squeezed back through the field down the back straight and ended up being one of the last to come around the home turn.

Jockey Shafiq Rizuan began searching for a run towards the middle of the track in the straight, then spotted an opening near the fence and weaved back to the inside. Lucky Magic changed gears and burst through along the rail to score by a length.

“We have bigger dreams in mind for such a talented horse,” Cheng told on-course media. “He’s that good.

“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?

“I was so sure he would win this race today. He's a machine and he's very fit after his last win in the Class 3 race.

“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, so he had no choice but to go to the inside. What matters is he still won.

“I plan to run him in a 1400-metre race next. After that, he will go for the 4YO Mile Championship over 1600 metres on July 20. If he's good enough, we will go overseas after that.”

Vendor	Prima Park
Purchaser	Karaka 2022: Mr B Kwok (Hong Kong)Ready to Run Sale: HY Cheng Racing Stable (Malaysia)
Breeding	Mendelssohn – No Love Letters
Sale	Lot 452, Karaka 2022 Book 1, $35,000Lot 192, 2022 Ready to Run Sale, $75,000
Bred by	J Crowley