A Day To Remember Thanks To Magicdollar

Winning is why owners get into racing. Having their colours carried to victory and giving them that elation is what everyone dreams of when entering the ownership sphere. Magicdollar provided that moment when he gained a first career success by taking the 1m talkSPORT Powered By Fans Handicap at Newcastle.

First season sires are always an unknown, there is no data to go on to see how their progeny may progress. Magicdollar is by Washington DC  but it became clear early on that sprinting may not be his gig. With a couple of runs over 6f, he was then gelded before a late season run over 7f proved that slightly further may be more suitable.

Magicdollar remained in training over the winter with the plan being an all-weather campaign. Having raced over 7f again, staying on well late in the race, Magicdollar had shown that maybe another furlong could be beneficial. Unfortunately the fixture list didn’t give him the chance to try out this new trip and with a lack of options, Magicdollar would have to wait until the new year.

Heading back to Newcastle once more, Magicdollar would only take on 4 rivals. The race revolved around the 1-3 fav, who had bolted up and came into the contest 9lb well in. Despite that it still looked like quite an open race and the step up to 1m looked to suit Magicdollar. Tom Eaves got the leg up on a cold and breezy day in the north east.

Magicdollar has had a tendency to start a little slow which he did once again. With the extra distance this wouldn’t be an issue and Tom just tucked in behind his rivals at the rear of the field. Keeping out of the headwind was beneficial as the field raced down the centre of the track. The pace looked to be strong early on but then quickly slowed up after the first furlong.

Little happened in the first half of the race but the favourite made a distinct move at the 4f pole. Making a beeline for the near side rail, he took the lead and increased the tempo. Tom chose to follow suit as the other trio slowly shifted over until all five were up against the rail. They got racing a long way from home and by the 3f marker the race had heated up.

Feeling like he was tracking the right horse, Tom continued to sit quietly at the rear of the field. Magicdollar travelled well but then the plan unravelled a little. The favourite was the first one beat and moving inside the final 2f, was falling back and weakening. With a rival on the outer, Tom had no choice but to sit and suffer as his rivals began to quicken for home. It looked as though there may be a hard luck story as Magicdollar was cantering but with nowhere to go.

One of the great characteristics of Newcastle is that it suits every running style due to the galloping nature. Tom never panicked, even when he had to take a pull to switch out around runners. Now in daylight Magicdollar began to pick up but his rivals were in full swing. Heading into the final furlong there was still plenty go work to do but the energy reserves were full. Having saved plenty for suffering at the rear, this was now the time to utilise it. With every urging from Tom, Magicdollar quickened up and ate into the ground. Collaring the leader 1oo yards out, Magicdollar snatched the lead and continued to stretch out, earning a neck victory.

It was a fantastic feeling to give the owners their first taste of victory and hopefully this can be a springboard to more. Magicdollar has thrived for the step up in trip and he saw it out very well. With the narrow margin the handicapper can not be too harsh and there should be plenty of options for the 3yo to back up this win.