Promising Darwin trainer Ella Clarke posted her biggest win on Saturday when Pop Magic saluted in the $40,000 Wet Season Series Final (1200m) at Fannie Bay.
Pop Magic, a five-year-old gelding, has been a model of consistency for Clarke, 26, since arriving from Kris Lees’ Newcastle stable.
In 14 starts since making his debut in May 2022, he has won five races and has finished second on four occasions – and that’s after returning from an injury suffered not long after relocating to the Top End.
The son of Wandjina qualified for the Wet Season Final (0-70) after winning over 1100m (0-58) before finishing a narrow second over 1100m (0-64) in December.
Pop Magic, ridden by Stan Tsaikos, jumped well from the inside barrier in the eight-horse field and settled on the fence before sharing the early lead with Phil Cole’s Fly Nice (+750).
Chole Baxter’s Swing For Junior (Jade Hampson), who trailed Pop Magic on the rails, and Tom Logan’s Make An Effort (Sonja Logan) were the only serious threats to the leaders at the 400m approaching the final bend.
However once turning for home Pop Magic kicked clear, to claim the Wet Season Series Final by 6.8 lengths clocking 1.08.24, paying +230 with top horse racing bookmakers.
Fly Nice held on for second from Swing With Junior (+650), while last year’s runner up Lucky Dog (+3000) did well to finish fourth when he started labouring at the 400m.
“It was a good win, it was always going to be a tough race,” Clarke said.
“He drew a decent barrier, so he just had to make the most of it.
“Stan did well to secure a good position – he knows the horse and what’s best for him.
“If there was a lot of speed, Stan was going to sit off them.
“If he could hold the front without too much effort then he was going to sit there and just go with the flow.
“Pop Magic was cruising at the 800m, but I wasn’t sure if he was going to run the distance – he definitely proved that he could.”
Clarke couldn’t fault Pop Magic’s consistency and that he has also maintained his form despite stepping up in grade.
“In his last five starts, he’s had two wins and three seconds – lately he seems to impress me with every start,” she said.
“Last start, he was stepping up in class and just got pipped on the line.
“I wasn’t sure how he was going to handle going up in class as well, especially when he was under pressure.”
Clarke confirmed that Pop Magic had issues after just four Darwin starts – he was sidelined for nine months.
A recurring abscess in one foot and a suspected fractured pedal bone was the diagnosis, but since returning Pop Magic has finished first or second in seven of his past 10 starts.
“He did run into a bit of trouble around two years ago,” Clarke said.
“He hurt himself and I had to do a lot of rehab – he taught me a lot actually and he’s come through with no worries.
“He just kept busting out with one of the worst abscesses I’ve ever seen on a horse.
“We weren’t sure how he was going to come through that, but he did and he’s thriving at the moment.”
With the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) and the Alice Springs Cup Carnival starting in March, Clarke – with 13 career wins – isn’t sure what lies ahead for Pop Magic.
Right now, it’s a case of going back to the drawing board and finding the right races.
“His future is bright if he keeps going the way he’s going,” Clarke laughed.
“There are no big plans, but if he does kick on then maybe the Palmerston Sprint.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, I’ll just cruise along with him at this stage.”
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