Harness Million Victory Provides Reid with Career Thrill
13 February 2022
Already highly ranked among winning trainers in New Zealand’s harness racing history, Steven Reid got one of the biggest thrills of his illustrious career when Magic Four (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) won the $200,000 Listed Harness Million 3YO Colts & Geldings Pace (2200m) on Saturday night at Alexandra Park.
Reid and training partner Simon McMullan combined with driver Peter Ferguson to produce a fairy tale result, when their three-year-old took out the lucrative feature at massive odds 100-to-one odds.
Magic Four was a $45,000 purchase by Auckland owner Kevin McKerrow’s McKerrow Bloodstock from the Woodlands Stud draft at the 2020 Auckland National Yearling Sale. Woodland Stud will offer 44 yearlings at the 2022 Auckland National Yearling Sale at Karaka on 13 February.
Magic Four was clashing with the heavyweights of three-year-old pacing in Akuta (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) and Franco Indie (NZ) (Always B Miki) in Saturday night’s Harness Million Final.
Reid admitted he didn’t have huge hopes that Magic Four could prevail among a star-studded field. But when he did, Reid got the thrill of a lifetime.
“I have won some pretty big races in my time and that has got to be one of the biggest thrills I have had, I am pretty excited,” the trainer said.
Magic Four had raced consistently throughout his career, without having stepped up to stakes level until Saturday night’s feature. Reid said the key to the horse’s success was him relishing a genuine tempo of a hotly contested Harness Million Final.
“I have always said to the owners if they go hard you will see him at his best.”
Magic Four’s victory could not be more timely for the Reid-McMullan stable as the trainers plan to purchase yearlings at the 2022 Auckland National Yearling Sale at Karaka on 13 February.
Reid admitted Saturday night’s win was not only a big thrill, but also a turning point for his stable.
“It has been a hard road for us since Star Galleria probably five or six years ago.”
“We didn’t think we had a lot of depth in the barn but you get horses like this they jump up and surprise you,” he said.
Magic Four held out runner-up Franco Mac (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) by a half-head margin in a thrilling finish to the $200,000 Listed Harness Million 3YO Colts & Geldings Pace.
Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen’s All Stars Stable produced the next three horses across the line following Magic Four.
Franco Mac was purchased for $60,000 from the Spreydon Lodge at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale by the All Stars Racing Stable. Spreydon Lodge will offer 11 yearlings at the 2022 Christchurch National Yearling on 14 to 16 February.
Akuta was just a further head away at the line, fighting on gamely after leading. Akuta was bought by the All Stars Racing Stable for $170,000 when offered by Broadfield Lodge at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale.
Franco Indie was just a further half-length away from his stablemate in fourth placing among a thrilling finish. Franco Indie was purchased by Alabar and Nevele R Stud at the 2020 Christchurch National Yearling Sale for $35,000 when offered by Spreydon Lodge.
| Vendor | Woodlands Stud |
| Purchaser | McKerrow Bloodstock |
| Breeding | Bettor’s Delight x Cariban Blue |
| Sale | 2020 Auckland Yearling Sale, $45,000 |
| Bred by | Woodlands Stud |