Lucky Magic Gains the Verdict in Selangor Mile

Trainer Cheng has no doubt star 4YO can keep the win despite objection

- Sharon Zhang

Dual Group 1 winner Lucky Magic had to survive a protest before he was established as the winner in the RM1 million (S$302,000) Selangor Mile (1,600m) at Sungai Besi on July 20, but trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong was unperturbed.

The Mendelssohn four-year-old—who won the Group 1 Penang Gold Cup (2,000m) in December 2024 and the Group 1 Perak Derby (2,000m) in March—was one of the favourites lining up in Malaysia's richest four-year-old race in history after he last took out the Special Rapid Stakes A race (1,300m) in easy fashion at Penang's farewell meeting on May 31.

After breaking well from barrier 5, Lucky Magic (Shafiq Rizuan) settled in midfield early as the front runner Stop The Water (Laercio de Souza) spearheaded the field of 16, while Red Dragonfly (Khaw Choon Kit) and War Star (Akmazani Mazuki) followed in close attendance.

As the field made their run around the bend, Shafiq was also seen making inroads on Lucky Magic. It was a well-timed run by the former two-time Singapore champion apprentice jockey as the pair found the front upon swinging for home, albeit six wide.

Stop The Water was soon engulfed at the 300m with Platinum Glory (Troy See) and Eruption (Clint Johnston-Porter) hot on his heels, while Lucky Magic was also looming large under Shafiq's urging.