Versatile I’ve Got Magic has the edge

RETURNING WITH topweight 126lb at a mile in Saturday’s Alexander Hamilton Memorial – a nine-pound weight swing in favour of DUKE from their last meeting – United States-bred I’VE GOT MAGIC’s recent humbling of the seven-year-old grey at six furlongs, puts the foreigner in a different league.

I’VE GOT MAGIC’s versatility makes him equally at home at the extended distance, having placed fourth behind MAHOGANY, JORDON REIGN’S, and EXCESSIVE FORCE in the grade-one Ian Levy Cup at eight and a half furlongs.

MAHOGANY won the Ian Levy by four lengths ahead of JORDON REIGN’S, who had a half-length to spare over EXCESSIVE FORCE, with I’VE GOT MAGIC a quarter-length behind in third.

Since fitted with a visor mid-November of last year, I’VE GOT MAGIC’s has significantly improved, resulting in him taking apart sprinters in the St Catherine Cup on January 14 – clocking 1:12.3 for six furlongs against DUKE and GOD OF LOVE – improving on 1:13.1 posted in the December 11 Ahwhofah Sprint.

LURE OF LUCY will try pressing the pace, hoping to set up stablemate MINIATURE MAN for a late charge. However, both are up in class from overnight allowance, having had a battling finish at the level on December 3, which MINIATURE MAN won by a neck at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

I’VE GOT MAGIC was busy two classes higher in the Mouttet Mile, won by EXCESSIVE FORCE that afternoon. I’VE GOT MAGIC might have finished 10th in the Mouttet Mile but returned with the best form against MAHOGANY, who had no speed to contend with in the Ian Levy Cup.

Ironically, it was I’VE GOT MAGIC who led MAHOGANY in the Ian Levy, cracking splits of 46.2 and 1:10.4, before the middle-distance demon went by approaching the home turn to win in a smart 1:44.1.