Magic Chai and Michael McNab landing the spoils for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike and owners Mark and Shelley Treweek in today’s Wellington Cup.
Magic Chai is likely to be set for a feature 3200-metre double after his stout staying performance to win today’s Gr.3 Wallaceville Estate Castletown Wellington Cup at Trentham.
His victory in the 3200-metre feature came in his open-class debut and the five-year-old now has a Group One contest on his autumn programme.
“We’ll get him home and see how he is and if his form holds up then the Auckland Cup is an obvious target,” said trainer Tony Pike.
“He’s only had 18 starts so he’s still pretty much untapped. He’s a good, genuine stayer.”
The son of Magic Albert settled among the tailenders before picking up ground 800 metres from home.
“When they all took off a long way from home it played into his hands,” said Pike.
Magic Chai came with an irresistible finish to swamp his rivals in the closing 150 metres with a gallant Sampson, Alinko Prince and the topweight Patrick Erin the next three home.
The chestnut five-year-old is raced by Lyndhurst Farm principals Mark and Shelley Treweek and gave them a result to boost spirits ahead of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Yearling Sale series.
The Cambridge couple will be offering a 13-strong draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka, which opens on January 28.
“It’s fantastic for Mark and Shelley,” said Pike. “Mark trained the horse for his first few starts and I got him about 18 months ago. He’s kept improving and got stronger.”
Magic Chai was ridden by Michael McNab, who said he was confident as soon as the pace of the race increased.
“We got back on a really slow tempo and when they cranked it up I got a lovely drag into it,” he said.
“He was travelling well near the turn and the more I asked of him the more I got. He was really strong at the line. It’s a big buzz.”
– NZ Racing Desk.
