“He is better than he is getting credit for”

TASMANIAN horseman Todd Rattray is far from declaring Magician a strong winning chance, but he certainly believes the gelding deserves more respect that he’s receiving.

In what is a massive step up in grade for the son of Sweet Lou, Magician will compete against the nation’s best three and four-year-olds in Saturday night’s The Eureka at Club Menangle.

Despite boasting an impressive record of 11 wins and five placings from 19 starts, Magician is the rank outsider at $151 with TAB Fixed Odds.

The four-year-old earned his berth in the $2.1million event by capturing The Beautide in Hobart on August 5.

Tasracing conducted the $80,000 feature as a qualifier to fill its slot in The Eureka.

“I don’t think he deserves to be $151,” Rattray declared. “I’m not saying he should be the favourite either, but those odds seem overs to me.

“There is no doubt he will need luck against the toughest field he has been up against, but I think he is better than he is getting credit for.”

To be driven by Rattray, Magician will move into barrier five once the emergencies are taken out of the equation.

Sent across Bass Strait to settle into his new surroundings a fortnight ago, Magician trialled at Menangle last week, where he finished third behind open class performers Taipo and Petes Said So.

“He has done well since he got to Sydney and hasn’t missed a beat,” Rattray said. “It’s not too bad a draw, but I will see how he feels on the gate and how others come out before sticking to a plan.

“I’m a bit nervous and really excited by being in such a big race and hopefully we can get a good result on the night.”