Magic is back in Motown

Motown Magic made an excellent return to racing last month and appears to have got over those issue that beset him.

A beautifully bred individual, the son of US champion Uncle Mo was nominated to run in the Grade 1 Cape Derby but suffered an encephalitis infection and was withdrawn.

Mike de Kock’s charge got over his illness but when he ran last time, his trainer was slightly cautious about Motown Magic’s chances for two reasons – firstly because of his time off the track and secondly because it was his first run on the Polytrack.

“You never know how they going to take to the Polytrack until they race on the surface,” said De Kock at the time.

However, although he did not win that race, the three-year-old gelding performed well enough to make an impression. He was always close to the pace and finished third, beaten 2.30 lengths by Airways Law in a MR 84 Handicap over 1800m.

That run should have brought him on and he is expected to make the necessary improvement when he lines up in Race 4 at Hollywoodbets Greyville today in a MR 85 Handicap over 2000m. He is perfectly drawn in barrier No 2 and will have Muzi Yeni, who rode him last time, back in the irons.

His main danger looks to be Dean Kannemeyer-trained Rex Union, who won his maiden on the Polytrack at Greyville.

The four-year-old gelding by Duke Of Marmalade out of champion mare Beach Beauty has had one run in KwaZulu-Natal this season, going off 15-10 favourite for the Highland Night Cup (NonBlack Type) over 2400m on the turf track, finishing a 1.10-length third behind Imperial Ruby.

That run would have brought him on nicely, but he will carry 5kg more. Keagan de Melo takes the ride.