When the Selangor Turf Club announced a RM1 million prize for the Selangor Mile in June last year, trainer Winson Cheng Han Yong thought that he might have the horse to win the big race for four-year-olds over 1600m.

At that time, Lucky Magic  had just started his racing career and was unplaced in his first two runs. But Cheng knew this horse is special.

The son of Mendelssohn went on to notch four wins and two seconds in his next six starts, ending the 2024 season with a victory in the Penang Gold Cup (2000m).

And Cheng was even more convinced that Lucky Magic is the one and proceeded to map out a specific programme for the New Zealand gelding.

Lucky Magic won three of his four starts this season in the run-up to the Selangor Mile at Sungai Besi today, and that included winning the Perak Derby (2000m) in March and the very last (1300m) race staged in Penang on May 31.

Cheng then kept Lucky Magic fresh for the task today and the gelding repaid his faith with a hard-fought victory over Good Star who was cutting down his lead with every stride in the final 100m.

Lucky Magic, ridden by Ridzuan Shafiq, had stormed to the front at the 200m and was pulling away but fought on gallantly to win by a neck.

But the celebrations for Cheng and his owners were put on hold for several minutes when Mahadi Taib, the trainer of Good Star, lodged a protest against the winner for alleged interference at the 300m.

The protest was eventually dismissed and Cheng could then pop the champagne.

But for Cheng, it was more of a huge relief than being joyous.

"I always knew Lucky Magic could win the Selangor Mile. I promised the owner the win and I am just so happy my expectation is proven correct," said Cheng.

Just how good is Lucky Magic?

"He will win many Cups for sure" is the answer.

"I have ridden him five times this year and he is better than ever," said Shafiq.

"He is a fighter. Just when Good Star got to us, he fought back.

"He is now more mature and learn to relax in his races."

Not taking any credit away from Lucky Magic, Good Star ran a tremendous race, having to change course twice in the home straight and might be considered a good thing beaten.

Although disappointed over the outcome of the (protest) results, Mahadi said: "The better horse won on the day. It was a tremendous run by my horse."

Antipodean came from a long way back in the running to finish third, and according jockey Benardo Pinheiro, it was a superb run.

"He had topweight of 59kg which was not easy," said Pinheiro. "And he had a change of trainer just 30 days before the race which is never ideal."