Tough Competitor Further Rewarded

21 February 2013

Durability has been a feature of O’Reilly Magic’s Hong Kong career and the veteran earned further honours last night. The eight-year-old returned to the winner’s stall for the fifth time when successful at Happy Valley.

The son of O’Reilly, who is in his fifth year of competition, came off a five week break to down his rivals in the hands of Olivier Doloueze. The WS-bred gelding was a $40,000 Premier Sale yearling in 2006 and later that year realised $130,000 at the Ready to Run Sale.

Trained by Michael Chang , O’Reilly Magic is out of an unraced sister to the Gr 1 Otaki-Maori WFA winner Critic (Centaine), a female family that doubles the presence of O’Reilly in the pedigree.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Well, it was finally our turn. Mary and I shared in the joy of winning a race; we were there, of course. We could have settled in, in front of the TV – not driven the 50 minutes each way, but the emotions are entirely different.

14 September 2025

Smart Love too smart this start

Smart Love (Savabeel ex Relentless Desire) made a winning return at Te Rapa on 14 September, storming home by 3.3 lengths. Racing in Garry Chittick’s colours, the four-year-old mare impressed for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott after two solid trials.