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By Graeme White

First-up winner Magic Leprechaun ($2.80 favourite on TAB) is already proving his worth since joining the stables of Brett Mallyon as one of a few purchases that is paying his way for the small-time trainer

Magic Leprechaun is one of the main chances for the Vale Garry Towzell MTC Life Member Benchmark 58 (1065m) at Wagga (Riverside Track) on Monday.

Towzell was a former vice-president of Murrumbidgee Turf Club, president of Wagga Amateur Picnic Race Club and also headed up the Wagga promotions and publicity committee.

Albury trainer Brett Mallyon

He raced many classy racehorses including subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Just A Dash (Cootamundra Cup) and Astrolarb, and shared some of his best racing moments with Fitzhugh on the picnic racing circuit.

Magic Leprechaun is one of five racehorses Mallyon has in Albury and so far he has produced two wins, a second, a third and fourth in six starts for him. The six-year-old’s only blemish for Mallyon was a 12th at Albury two starts ago.

He was previously trained by Michel Freedman where he raced at provincial and metropolitan level and has since found his niche in the country grades, according to Mallyon.

“He has always shown a lot of promise and has been a bit of a work in progress,” Mallyon said.

“I was feeling my way with him last campaign and this time around he has been a bit better again.

“He didn’t trial before he won first-up. That was the first time he has really run through the line.”

Mallyon’s wife Mary shares in the ownership of Magic Leprechaun and also Wild Annie ($11) which will contest the Aggies Race Day September 20 Tickets On Sale Now Maiden Plate (1200m).

Wild Annie has finished off strongly in her two starts for Mallyon with a third and fourth.

“I bought her cheap online and she has pleased me so far,” he said. “She might be looking for a bit more distance, but isn’t far off breaking through.

“My wife Mary makes sure everything is in order with the horses and it’s just a small team we have and they have been going well.”

Their daughter Katelyn shares in the ownership of another stable horse Perfectly Good and is married to top jockey James McDonald.

Katelyn, who can be seen on the screens of Channel Seven, is a former jockey as is her mother: “Mary was a pretty handy jockey in her day,” Brett said proudly.

Meanwhile, leading trainer Ben Brisbourne can pick up from where he left off in the first race of the season.

His topweight in the opening race at Wagga, Mishima ($6.50), will carry less weigh than some of her rivals after the claim for apprentice jockey Alice Kennedy. The young jockey is indentured to Brisbourne.

“I’m grateful for every opportunity Ben gives me and the other trainers. My claim is down to three-kilograms now and it helps if you are riding winners to get a few extra rides,” she said.

She has ridden eight winners from her past 50 rides and will partner Mishima in the Picnics Race Day October 4 Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1675m).

Brisbourne’s other contender Flutterby ($2.40 fav) has been ultra-consistent with a win and four seconds from six starts this preparation.

Brisbourne had a record-breaking 78 winners last season and was highly placed in the Southern Districts title with Andrew Dale and Craig Weeding

Pride Of Jezza ($3) turned in his best performance to win at his latest start and is another of the main chances.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wagga here