Real estate agent looks to break Magic Millions 2YO Classic curse

PHOTO: Luke Henderson is still looking to win a Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Picture: News Corp Australia.

The prominent Gold Coast-based owner has enjoyed success only others could dream of, but the Magic Millions 2YO Classic has proved to be the nut he cannot crack

Prominent Gold Coast owner Luke Henderson has had racing success most owners could only dream of, but the Magic Millions 2YO Classic is the nut he just can’t crack.

The real estate agent has won some of Australia’s biggest races, but had the Magic Millions cruelly stripped off him in dramatic circumstances, when stewards upheld a protest in 2012 to relegate No Looking Back to second place behind Driefontein.

Henderson is adamant it is still “the worst decision in racing” he has seen, but has had other misfortunes in the race since then.

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Looking to bounce back in 2023, Henderson is a part owner in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Summer Loving, who he believes is a forgotten horse in betting.

“We had the protest, then the following year Sweet Idea looked like she was home in the race and Real Surreal with Michael Cahill threaded the needle and got us in the last bound,” he said.

“We thought we were going to get instant redemption, but it wasn’t to be.

“Then we had the favourite a few years back with Swift Witness, so there has been a few good chances go over.”

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“I have won a Golden Slipper, Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, so this is the one I really want to chase, if not we keep going back for more.

“No Looking Back won that race fair and square and she shouldn’t have been relegated, what’s done is done but.”

No Looking Back (inside) beats home Driefontein in 2012, before being relegated in the stewards room.

Also a director at the Gold Coast Turf Club, Henderson has won the Magic Millions Guineas along with The Subzero.

While Summer Loving is still a maiden, Henderson says the filly has the right formlines behind Sovereign Fund in the Magic Millions Wyong Classic.

“Her last trial was much better and the blinkers will go on her in the race,” he said. “I think the way the track played on Saturday, we will need to draw and jump well.

“I think she’s very good, a better three-year-old than she is now. If she remains sound I think she can be a Group 1 horse, whether she’s ready for a Magic Millions — we will see.

“In my opinion I think Sovereign Fund is the danger, his two runs have been super so I think if we can beat it, we win the race.

“I won’t be celebrating too much if there is a tight finish. Hopefully she wins by six and there is nothing to worry about in the stewards room this time around.”

Summer Loving is $15 with TAB in one of the most even Magic Millions 2YO Classic fields in recent years.

The barrier draw will be conducted at Surfers Paradise on Tuesday morning.