LUKA SET FOR UK TEST

Ian Fortune

Magical Luka, one of the fastest greyhounds in Ireland and the UK is set to contest one of the top sprint events in the UK, the Arc Silver Salver at Central Park.

Of course, he made a stunning start to his career last year, winning an unraced at Dundalk before producing a series of stunning record breaking runs through a valuable A3 competition at Tralee.

He then joined Kevin Hutton to contest the Romford Puppy Cup and was a long odds-on favourite to win the final after breaking the track record in the prelims. He would find traffic in the final and would then face a long spell on the sidelines before returning to action in April for Pat Guilfoyle, winning an open sprint at Dundalk and reaching the Select Stakes decider at Waterford.

Unfortunately, he stumbled at boxes in the latter but it’s wonderful to see that he is ready to again show his class on the track.

He joined Kevin Hutton in recent weeks and is reported in great shape. Speaking to the Racing Post yesterday, Kevin Hutton confirmed that Magical Luka has rejoined him.

Said Hutton, “He’s been back with us for a couple of weeks now and has settled in well. He’s just a class dog and I’m delighted to see him back, albeit it’s only a relatively brief visit.

“He’s booked for a trial at Central Park tomorrow evening [Friday]. It’s a track which should suit him with that lovely long run to the bend.

“Hopefully he’ll go well in the competition – it’s a good prize, £12,500 for three runs –and I’d love to win it for Pat.He’ll be returning to Ireland after the campaign and the Sprint Cup at Dundalk seems a likely target for him.”

Indeed, he looked a superstar when beginning his career at Dundalk last May and has clearly improved in the meantime. Should he produce anything close to his best around Dundalk he would most likely emerge as the dog to beat in the Irish Sprint classic.

In the meantime, he will take the world of beating in the Silver Salver, a competition won by the Irish in the recent past with Flashing Willow emerging on top in 2024 for Pat Buckley. Of course, Magical Luka would count as a UK trained winner and it’s worth noting that Kevin Hutton won the 2025 renewal of the famous competition with the now retired Rioja Oisin.