Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Andrew Ramgeet (right) scoring aboard OH NO GRANDPA in the second race on New Year's Day. OH NO GRANDPA got home by half-a-length from MY PLEASURE with Jason Simpson aboard. The United States-based Ramgeet rode a three-timer on the ten-race card. His other winners were MAGDALA and PRINCE OF LAW.

Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

MAGIC DRAGON reports down in class for this afternoon's 1200-metre feature event, the Colin Melhado Memorial Cup, and should get the better of $240,000 claimers after beating $290,000 company at the distance in October.

Trained then by Joseph Thomas, MAGIC DRAGON won in convincing fashion, beating Tony Kirlew's STORMY SKY by almost four lengths.

Richie Todd must have been impressed with the manner of MAGIC DRAGON's victory and claimed him from Thomas for $290,000 on November 18.

That afternoon, MAGIC DRAGON shone in defeat, slowly into stride but still finished a creditable fourth behind a trio of fit horses - ROYAL MALICE, NASATOL and NUMERO UNO - who have all since won races at the level and higher.

Todd tested his new charge up in class among $350,000 runners on December 13 and watched MAGIC DRAGON run an even third behind NUMERO UNO, who outbattled TIME OF MY LIFE at 1000 metres round.

Odds of 19-1 suggested there wasn't much stable confidence in MAGIC DRAGON that afternoon, but today's drop in class for the feature event means the gamble is on with jockey Dalton Brown retained by Todd after the feeler up in class.

Pretty busy in the mornings at exercise, MAGIC DRAGON has trained almost everyday heading into the event, at times swimming after trotting. He has good speed and should chase PURE JUSTICE and STEAD GOLD off the lead down the backstretch before taking charge at the final turn.

STORMY SKY, who had reared at the gate and lost ground when beaten by MAGIC DRAGON in October, should once again close the exacta and give Todd's runner most to do from a clean break.

The six-year-old mare won over a mile on her following outing, down among $240,000 claimers, and was narrowly beaten up in class at $270,000 by ASIA WINTER and CONCORDE a week later.

After that effort, STORMY SKY continued to do well, running prominent races in defeat behind SATISFIER and SIR KHAN in December. Andrew Ramgeet has been making the difference aboard a couple runners and cannot be underestimated with a fit runner in hand.

However, MAGIC DRAGON has been programmed for this event and should use his pace and back class to get the better of STORMY SKY.