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Punchestown 2024
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Michael Graham
Moonlight Magic starts his career with a win
Moonlight Magic, far side, fends off Embiran
© Photo Healy Racing
Moonlight Magic made a successful debut for Jim Bolger and Godolphin in Cork's seven furlong juvenile maiden.
Kevin Manning hunted the Cape Cross colt round in mid-division before making a move at the three pole. They improved to almost be on terms with the leader Murmuration at the two.
Moonlight Magic was ridden to lead narrowly coming to the final furlong and he kept on nicely to take the spoils by a comfortable neck from fellow newcomer Embiran (10/1 from 7/2 in the morning) who found extra gears late on to close on the winner at the line.
The winner was returned the 4/6 favourite from a morning price of 11/10. Murmuration gave his backers a place return as he took third at 20/1.
Kevin Manning said: "He's a lovely big horse and when I asked him he picked up.
"He'll make a lovely three-year-old, has got a good temperament and has ability. He handled that ground fine but has raw ability and is a nice horse in the making."
Moonlight Magic holds an entry in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
This gave Godolphin a double on the card after Leading Actress took the opener.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes