MAGIC FROM BUICK ABOARD MISCHIEF

By Rose Goldstone

In rear at halfway, Godolphin’s Mischief Magic unleashed a scintillating late challenge as he came from last to first in the 1100m Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Friday. The homebred 2yo colt by Exceed And Excel, who had displayed a similar turn of foot when taking the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes on his penultimate start at Kempton Park in September, was slightly slow exiting the stalls and raced in a clear last as Speed Boat Beach and Tyler’s Tribe set a frenetic early pace.

MAGIC ALONG THE RAIL

Mischief Magic made stealthy headway down the inside rail turning in and moved up to a close sixth behind a wall of horses at the top of the straight. Private Creed briefly hemmed Mischief Magic in soon after, with William Buick forced to wait until a gap appeared between horses approaching the final 100m.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt flew home, collaring Dramatised in the closing strides before quickening away for a length success. Charlie Appleby added: “I knew they would go hard in front and William Buick is riding with so much confidence. He was able to get Mischief Magic on the right lead down the back turn and had a lovely run up the inside.

“He was trying to angle out but was pushed back in, although I don’t think it did the horse any harm because he wants gaps rather than daylight. It was a fantastic ride by William and a great effort by the team. Mischief Magic will have the winter off now. He has the scope to develop from two to three and has probably put himself in the picture for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. I imagine we will work back from that race.”

'EXPECTED TO BE OUTPACED'

Buick added: “I expected to be outpaced early; Mischief Magic is a comfortable closer over 6f, so I knew that five and a half here would catch him out early. I knew if I was able to get onto the back of a horse who could take me into the straight, Mischief Magic would finish off well. He felt super there and really enjoyed coming off the turn. He ran very well in the Middle Park Stakes last time and is still learning. He enjoyed the ground and racing round a turn, everything just came together today.”