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| Sumita Pawar |
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Despite receiving million-dollar overseas offers, the undefeated racehorse Mogo Magic has chosen to stay in Sydney this spring in order to compete for the lucrative A$2m Kosciuszko prize.
Mogo Magic, one of the most thrilling horses in the NSW bush, is set to make a highly-anticipated comeback at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. The aim is to maintain his flawless record.
Mogo Magic has made a sensational start to his career, flawlessly winning all three of his starts.
Unsurprisingly, the emerging son of Duporth received lucrative offers from Hong Kong, believed to be around A$1.2m.
However, despite the tempting offers from abroad, connections rejected them and instead decided to continue racing in Australia, which brought great joy to Goulburn trainer Scott Collings.
"The guys who owned him turned down the last offers and have elected to race him and have a bit of fun," Collings said.
"It was a pretty hard decision for the boys who own him to make that call but I am very grateful that they've made that choice.
"I have another mare Ten Bells, she has been very good to us, but potential-wise this would be the best horse I've had."
What’s The Kosciuszko
Known as the world’s richest race for country-trained horses, carries a US$2 million prize purse. Every horse in the race is nominated by a winner of the Australian Kosciuszko sweepstakes. The person who nominates the horse is also a shareholder in the prize money of their nominated horse.
Mojo Magic's Spring Sprint
Collings acknowledges that Mojo Magic will be returning in Highway Class 3 Handicap race, along with stablemate Master Joe. However, he acknowledges that the sprinter's primary objective is in the spring.
Collings is confident that his up-and-coming country star has a good chance of securing a place in The Kosciuszko event.
"You would think the way the horse is going at the moment and if he can continue on that path, you would think he is a Kosciuszko chance by all means," Collings said.
"You would think if he can win again (he would put himself in the frame) and that's our main goal this time in, to try and secure that slot.
"I don't think 1200m would be an issue for him and I think as time goes and he starts racing against better horses, he will see the best of him then as well."
Collings has refreshed him since his recent victory and has also entered Mogo Magic in the Benchmark 72 race for three-year-olds over 1100m on Saturday's card.
He chose the easier task in the Highway race, as his fast horse is still qualified for country races.
"He decided to go to the Highway after he had a little bit of a freshen up and was in the paddock for about five weeks," Collings said.
"He has a nice break and has come back in really good order.
"I think he has improved. Mentally is probably the biggest way he has improved.
"He is really starting to work what it is all about now and he is a horse that has physically got a bit stronger as well.
"I thought he trialled super. We elected to go into the Highway with just one trial because I think the horse goes quite nice when he is fresh.
"Off that trial, we are going to the trial as best we can."
Due to injury, Nick Heywood missed the opportunity to ride Mogo Magic the last time he was in town, but he will now take over the reins once again.
In the Highway event, Mogo Magic will be accompanied by the in-form stablemate Master Joe, who will have apprentice Amy McLucas as the jockey.
Collings has decided to give Master Joe a chance in town, as the son of Unencumbered aims for a winning hat-trick after securing two victories at Goulburn.
"He definitely deserves his chance down there on Saturday," Collings said.
"He probably would have got there a bit earlier but his benchmark had not allowed him.
"When he was a young horse, he went to the paddock and got hurt and cut his leg pretty bad so that's why it's set us back a long way but the horse is very consistent."