Dragon to unleash his magic
published: Saturday | September 3, 2005

Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

HORSES from the $420,000-$390,000 claiming spread are down to contest today's principal feature for the Cecil C. Charlton Trophy over 1300 metres, one of two trophy races on the 12-race card which commences at noon

Also carded is the $290,000-$260,000 claiming race for the Reca Trophy over 1400 metres in which seven starters have been declared. This race is run in honour of the 1976 Derby and Governor's Cup winner Reca, who in later years won the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup for a different trainer.

MAGIC DRAGON, who has been a model of consistency, should not only start favourite for the Cecil C. Charlton Trophy race, but justify this status as well, despite the presence of hat-trick seeker BLOW WIND BLOW and the recent winner JACK EM UP.

Trained by Percy Hussey for his mom Ruth, the 4-y-o gelding by Al's River Cat out of Lakefield last won over today's distance on June 22 when just staving off DRAW CARD in the fairly good time of 1:20.1.

Since then MAGIC DRAGON has run some useful races in allowance company, notably his length second to TOTAL MOTION in a hotly contested round five race on July 2 and also his two lengths fifth to EPICTATUS over the straight in open allowance company on July 20.

Last time out he was not disgraced when finishing 4-1/2 lengths sixth to the progressive NASATOL over the straight in overnight allowance company on August 6 after being bumped at the start.

Now dropped in class (high claiming) and well trained, MAGIC DRAGON looks hard to oppose from the convenient mark of 53.0kg and competent jockey Rudolph Paige in the saddle.

BLOW WIND BLOW, who won the Emancipation Day Trophy over the distance on August 1, looks the principal danger.

bidding for fourth

The rejuvenated FROMRUSSIA-WITHLOVE has remained quite sound and today bids for his fourth win from his last five starts in the Reca Trophy and ought to be followed with only 51.0kg and smart apprentice Kerry-Gayl Robinson in the saddle once again.

BADBOYBIN, now dropped in class with indifferent form and ASYNJUR, are twin dangers.

On a day when the Pick-9 offers a whopping carryover of $3.2 million, other firm fancies on the card are LIGHTNING BINGO to stave off ALERT THE PRESS in the fourth race, YAHABIBI in the 6th, CHRISTMAS GIFT in the 7th for maiden two-year-olds, LOCHNESS DRAGON to romp the 8th and SAYONARA over INCOMMUNICADO in the 9th.