Mogo Magic returns for bush trainer Scott Collings at Eagle Farm

Trainer Scott Collings is confident his bush horse Mogo Magic is the best he has ever been for his comeback at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Cancer survivor Scott Collings has declared his boom gelding Mogo Magic is primed to bounce back to his best at Eagle Farm on Saturday following a horror run in the 2023 Kosciuszko.

The now five-year-old remarkably won his first five races, including two Highways and a Benchmark 72 in Sydney, prompting Collings to thrust his rising star into the high-pressure environment of the prestigious $2m Kosciuszko for country-trained horses at Randwick in October 2023.

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But the magic disappeared for Mogo as he finished a disappointing 10th out of 14 runners in the 1200m race won by Front Page, who successfully defended his title.

“That rattled him mentally,” Collings said of The Kosciuszko experience.

“He wasn’t ready to be chucked to the wolves, so to speak, and then his next prep he was really good without winning a race.

“He had a niggling problem (a strained ligament near his fetlock) and that’s why he only had three runs and went to the paddock.

“If you watch his races he’s got a bit of a wild, extravagant action.

“He was twisting his foot and had a little bit of strain on that ligament.

“We decided to give him three months off and do a lot of corrective work and he’s 100 per cent now. He’s the best I reckon I’ve ever had him.”

Mogo Magic will make his return at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

TAB has rated Mogo Magic as the $3.50 favourite in a big field in Saturday’s Class 6 race (1000m) at Eagle Farm, ahead of Helluva Barty ($3.80) and Catwalk Criminal (6.50).

It will be Mogo’s first run since July last year when he finished fourth out of nine runners on a heavy track at Randwick in a Benchmark 78 but Collings isn’t worried.

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“It’s not a concern. Our biggest bonus is that Nick Heywood is back on the horse again,” he said.

“The horse just seems to travel so well for Nick and they’re a great combination.

“We wouldn’t be taking him all that way (from Goulburn) if we weren’t confident. The horse is probably as good as I’ve ever had him so we’re looking forward to Saturday.

“If there’s any sort of downside that worries me a bit it’s the barrier draw (12).

“But he drew barrier 12 last prep at Randwick and he came across and sat outside the leader on a very hot speed so I’m tipping he’ll be doing roughly the same on Saturday.”

Mogo Magic’s trainer Scott Collings. Picture: Getty Images

Collings said Mogo Magic had shown no signs of being bothered by his ligament strain.

“He’s really bright and happy. His work has been fantastic,” said the trainer, who has battled his own health issues.

In 2023, Collings was diagnosed with the rare Nasopharyngeal cancer, which starts as a growth of cells in the upper throat.

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He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment around the same time as when Mogo Magic was battling in The Kosciuszko.

But thankfully Collings has won his fight and been cleared of cancer.

“I’m really good. I’m in remission now,” he said.

“I’m still battling a little bit from the side effects of the chemo and radiation but other than that I’m all clear of the cancer.

“That should get better as time goes on. I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.”

Originally published as Mogo Magic returns for bush trainer Scott Collings at Eagle Farm