PERRY FAMILY HOPING FOR SOME “MAGIC” AT RANDWICK

WINNING feature races both in Australia and overseas is nothing new to Paul Perry.

But the legendary Newcastle trainer, who set the racing world alight in 2003 by taking Choisir to the other side of the globe and carrying off Royal Ascot’s famous sprint double, has an extra special incentive to add Saturday’s $2m Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Royal Randwick to his impressive haul.

It’s not simply the fact first prizemoney is $1.155m, but that Perry and wife Cassie’s 19-year-old son Nicholas is a part-owner of The Magic Man in a syndicate which includes his parents.

“This is the first time Nicholas has been involved in a horse, and he is pretty excited having a runner in a $2m race,” Perry said this morning.

“We are all going to Randwick on Saturday to watch The Magic Man.”

Kerrin McEvoy rides The Magic Man, whose consistent performances even though he is yet to win, show that his current odds of $23 with TAB.com.au indeed look to be overs.

“I think he’s got a good each-way chance,” Perry said.

“It’s not an easy race to win, but the fact that he drew the inside barrier and a couple of the favorites (unbeaten pair, fellow Newcastle youngster Rivellino, and Sydney’s Within The Law) didn’t fare so well is certainly a help.

“The Magic Man has trained on well since his latest run. I’m really happy with him.”

Perry paid $40,000 for the son of Showtime at last year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale.

“He looked sharp and took your eye,” Perry said.

“He is a very mature colt.”

The Magic Man is the last foal of the Star Witness mare Litigation, who won six races, including one at the Bedgerabong picnics in February 2016.

She died on September 29, 2022, 15 days after foaling The Magic Man.

Contrary to some belief, the son of Showtime was not named after champion Brazilian jockey Joe “The Magic Man” Moreira.

Perry’s “magic man” has raced four times for three seconds – and has mixed it with some classy youngsters.

After debuting when runner-up to Lees’ filly Wisnierska (who then ran third to Golden Slipper joint second favorite Pallaton at Randwick) at Newcastle on December 7, he finished sixth in that Randwick race a fortnight later after drawing the outside barrier.

The Magic Man was a gallant second to Rivellino at Randwick on January 4, and then chased home $3.50 Golden Slipper favorite Wodeton at Rosehill Gardens on January 18.

Perry has previously had only one representative in the Inglis Millennium.

That was the now retired six-times winner Pandano (Brenton Avdulla), who ran ninth at $17 to Castelvecchio in the inaugural 2019 running at Warwick Farm.

He had romped home on debut by nearly four lengths in a 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) on Newcastle’s Beaumont track a fortnight earlier.

Story John Curtis, February 5, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos