3 minute read
Serendipitous is probably the most appropriate word to describe how Goulburn gallopers Mogo Magic and Front Page have found their way into this year's The Kosciuszko line up.
Matt Cowling, a part-owner of Mogo Magic, drew not one but two winning The Kosciuszko sweepstakes tickets last week via Goulburn and the TAB.
So, hey presto! Mogo Magic ($6 on TAB) goes straight into the $2m race ... an easy decision to make, giving trainer Scotty Collings, connections and the slot holder a real shot at their own 'wake me up before you Mogo' moment!
Collings summed it up succinctly: "It was great to get picked early for the Kosciuszko as we know the horse's ability and he has been set for this race for a long time," Collings said.
"We are thrilled to be in the Kosciuszko and are looking forward to the hype and atmosphere of the big day.
"Mogo Magic trialled super on Friday with many connections on course to watch him. He is giving them a great thrill because everyone dreams of having that one good horse and so far, he has stepped up to every task asked of him."
Matt Cowling then added Opal Ridge ($3.50 favourite / Luke Pepper) to his arsenal in the race with his other ticket. Talk about getting bang for your Kosciuszko ticket buck!
But the 'Goulburness' of it all doesn't stop there. Garry Dyson also from Goulburn secured a winning ticket - turns out he's the father-in-law of one of Mogo Magic's owners.
Staying true to Lilac City, Dyson went with Goulburn trainer Matt Dale and Front Page. The horse is out to defend his 2022 The Kosciuszko title and is a $6 elect for this year's contest.
Turns out Dale is also the go to guy for the Kellyville TAB ticket winner - the slot holder(s) earmarking Cavalier Charles (fourth in last year's race and $18) out of Dale's Goulburn stable as their hustle and muscle in the race.
Dale says his team is thrilled to be back in the 2023 edition of The Kosciuszko with a two-pronged assault.
"The whole stable is very excited to have two horses selected in The Kosciuszko and the blueprint for both of them will be very similar to last year, " Dale referenced.
"Front Page will go into the race first-up off two jumpouts with Tyler Schiller booked to ride. Cavalier Charles will also have a very similar lead up.
"He had a trial in Sydney a bit over a week ago and ran very well. He'll have a first up run on Saturday 16th September in a Benchmark 88 race over 1200m at Randwick and then be a month into The Kosciuszko."
Whichever way you look at it the best guide as to who or what is pulling the strings on all this might have been on show late last Friday in the gloom of a post-race day trial at Goulburn.
In the cold, windy, drizzly twilight ... a rainbow quietly appeared as Mogo Magic strutted his stuff to win a trial in good style - possibly some divine intervention at work.
We'll just have to wait and see where the pot of gold lands come Everest Day.
