Magical Luka ready for Romford Puppy Cup semis
Magical Luka has come out of his track record-equalling run at Romford in good order, according to his trainer Kevin Hutton.
Luka continues to impress
Kevin Hutton reports Magical Luka to be in “good shape” after another stunning performance in the Coral Romford Puppy Cup heats.
The hugely-exciting son of King Sheeran and Magical Mary is now unbeaten in 10 starts after equalling Romford’s 400m track record with another scintillating display last Friday.
The October 2023 whelp posted a flying 3.58 sectional on his way stopping the clock at 23.26 (+20) in his latest demolition job and he will line up as a red-hot favourite for the first semi-final at 8.01pm on Friday.
After winning all seven starts in Ireland for Pat Guilfoyle, Magical Luka was sent to Hutton for a tilt at this Category One competition and his new trainer must be running out of superlatives for the superstar youngster.
Speaking on www.kevinhuttonracing.com, Hutton said: “Once again, he flew the lids and ran right away from his rivals to win by just over 8 lengths in a track record-equalling time of 23.26.
“You’d have to say the 400m Romford record is one of the strongest in the sport, so to have a pup equal it really was something very special.
“Thankfully, Luka has taken his race very well and will be in good shape come Friday's semi-final.”
Magical Luka. Photo © Steve Nash
Jazzy George almost gave Hutton a Romford double as he was just touched off by March On Luna in 24.04 and he has been drawn in the same semi-final as Magical Luka.
Hutton continued: "He flashed the boxes and showed a lovely turn of early pace and is slowly getting stronger with each run.
"Unfortunately, both pups are drawn together in the semi-final ,so we’re hoping they can keep clear of each other."
Hutton didn’t have as much luck at Swindon on Saturday as Signet Nayla was beaten by Eagles Respect in the quarter-finals of the BGBF 79th Two-Year-Old Produce Stakes.
The daughter of Signet Denver still qualified in second after leading but his handler knows she will need to raise her game if she is qualify from a very tough semi-final this weekend.
“She had every chance but was beaten by a very smart local runner,” he added.
“We’ve drawn a red-hot semi-final with the top four in the betting all in together, so she’ll need to be on her toes next week to make the decider.”
Coppice Lottie is set for a break after failing to qualify in the first round heats of the Bet365 Empress Stakes at Towcester on Sunday.
He said: “Thankfully, she returned in good shape, although she’ll have a short rest after a busy time of it of late.”
