Einstein Magic’s clever trick
TRAINER Dick Leech and Jason Lyon have had winner after winner in Alice Springs in recent weeks. It has been a procession. Regardless of all the success they have had, Einstein Magic’s victory in the Imparja Television 0-70 Handicap (1200m) yesterday would perhaps top the list.
And that’s after both combined to seal the NT Guineas (1600m) with Perfect Fox on April 14.
In a race for those who missed a start in the Pioneer Sprint, Einstein Magic ($4.40) mirrored Chautauqua by producing a phenomenal finish.
Although there were only six runners, five-year-old gelding Einstein Magic would have been 15 lengths behind the leaders at the 600m – he was no chance.
Marbel Duke (Brendon Davis), Roycey (Raymond Vigar) and Poet’s Choice (Paul Denton) set a ferocious pace in the early stages and were in command turning for home.
In an incredibly open bet- ting race, the race flipped on its head in the home straight.
Coldrock (Jarrod Todd), Bellomo (Kim Gladwin) and fellow backmarker Einstein Magic were making ground on the leaders. In somewhat of a repeat of his win back on April 28, Einstein Magic gobbled up the leaders to record a truly spectacular win.
Only three lengths covered the field at the finish with Leech’s horse getting home by just over a length from Russell Bell’s Roycey ($6) and Leanne Gillett’s Coldrock ($41).
“That was an unbelievable effort, but the leaders went too hard early and they set up the race,” Leech said.
“He certainly gets back, but he was motoring home today with 600m to go.
“It was nice to get the win after what happened to Jailhouse Rock (who was scratched) earlier in the day.”
Lyon was certainly beaming after the race – it was his third winner for the day.
“He was good again today, but he does get back,” he said.
“When the leaders go hard early he likes it, but I thought we may have been too far back.
“It was a super effort, we were home with 100m to go.”
Lyon has extended his lead in the Alice Springs jockeys’ premiership and as the leading rider during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival.
In the premiership race he has 23 winners and is five wins clear of Wayne Kerford.
Lyon has ridden 10 winners after four days of the carnival, with Jarrod Todd (6) next in line.
Leech is the leading trainer for the carnival (7), but second (18) behind Lisa Whittle (30) in the trainers’ premiership.