Race by race recap of key performers and ones to watch moving forward from Saturday’s Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast.
The lucrative raceday featured capacity fields for the majority of the meeting and a host of winner’s capable of making their presence felt later this season at Group level.
Race 1: Problem Solver - $250k Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m)
Well placed first up, Problem Solver ran to a Timeform rating of 87.
Three runner up finishes and now a #MagicMillions Maiden Plate winner worth $250,000! A great Robbie Fradd ride gets Problem Solver home in the opener for @GRyanRacing @GCTurfClub! pic.twitter.com/i8YSd6kdLU
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
It’s an interesting race this maiden each year. Understandably, a lot of trainers set their maideners for this race.
Tony Gollan particularly is one who tries. Shesees Everything is a key example running second at 80-1.
In the prior years he’s had a couple, Giuliani in 2016 and Of The Day in 2017 each ran fourth at 40 and 30-1.
Race 2: Zafina - Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m)
Given a peach of a ride by Jason Collett, Zafina ran to a Timeform rating of 82.
That represents the lowest winning figure of the day at the Gold Coast.
He could fair dinkum ride a broomstick home at the moment. Jason Collett brings up another win, this time on Zafina in front of a wall of horses for Matty Dale! pic.twitter.com/iAuyYJ3n9U
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
It was still enough however for the connections of Zafina to come away with $150,000 prizemoney.
Race 3: I’m A Rippa - Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m)
I’m A Rippa led throughout with the win awarded a Timeform rating of 98.
He certainly is a Rippa! The very well backed I'm A Rippa leads all the way for a tough victory on #MagicMillions Day for @StephenBaster & @tonygollan! pic.twitter.com/0DkPYXOpAy
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
This wasn’t an overly strong race. I’m a Rippa had simply been placed well by Tony Gollan.
The Love Conquers All gelding won a $30,000 Doomben Class 3 three starts ago with a Timeform rating of 98. He’s run the same figure to win a $1million race on Saturday.
Race 4: Tumultuous - Magic Millions Trophy (2200m)
Tumultuous on Saturday went some of the way to living up to his early potential with his Magic Millions Trophy win assessed at 102.
What a thrilling finish to the #MagicMillions Trophy with Sedanzer holding Tumultuous every step of the way until the post as @brentonavdulla lifts the Chris Waller runner to victory right on the line! pic.twitter.com/mb4UlWsZGx
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
It was a very smart ride by Brenton Avdulla. He go onto the back of the favourite Sedanzer from the 600m and followed her right through.
The runner up Sedanzer despite a narrow defeat was excellent. She was rising sharply in trip from a mile to 2200m. She only got caught late.
Saturday may represent the end of Sedanzer’s prep now, one which through five runs netted three wins and two placings, one at Group level. Throw in almost $400k in prizemoney and it can be considered nothing but an excellent campaign.
Race 5: Invincibella - Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Sprint (1300m)
Race 4 (Tumultuous) and Race 5 were each glowing endorsements for Chris Waller’s Gold Coast stable. Both of Invincibella’s runs this prep in the Sunshine State have been strong.
Invincibella sustains a wide run and nabs Eckstein right on the line in another thrilling finish on the Gold Coast. A running double for @Cwallerracing and a double for star hoop Robbie Fradd! pic.twitter.com/d0CZPVlDSO
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
The latest netted Invincibella a new peak Timeform rating of 107.
107 has her at this stage pegged as a Group 3 level mare.
She’s got five stakes placings to her name and now needs a stakes win to maximise her broodmare value.
Invincibella from here will likely spell and be back in Brisbane for a winter prep. Races like the Dane Ripper and Winter Stakes profile as potential targets.
Eckstein was strong in second. She’s an extremely versatile mare.
Race 6: Care To Think - Magic Millions Cup (1400m)
Six months ago Care To Think ran smart figures winning Highway Handicap at Randwick.
The So You Think gelding continues to go from strength to strength and looking at his performance on Saturday, we might be talking about him in six months as a Stradbroke hope.
From a TAB Highway to a $1,000,000 #MagicMillions Cup. It's been an incredible run for the @mattydunnracing-trained Care To Think who has now won five in a row. Brilliant win after being posted wide the trip! pic.twitter.com/CAHqvEffYw
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
Black Piranha ran second in this race in 2009 before winning the Stradbroke of that year.
Care To Think produced a Timeform rating of 115 on Saturday. Right on the five year winning average of the race.
Race 7: Pierata - Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m)
Pierata enjoyed a perfect run, behind the leaders on the fence. Corey Brown got the necessary split at the 300m and away they went.
History for Pierata! Greg Hickman's star colt explodes away showing that trademark turn of foot to win the #MagicMillions 3YO Guineas in spectacular style taking home the most prize money in @racing_qld history from a single race with the $500k bonus! @mmsnippets pic.twitter.com/kG1HVtK5a5
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
$1.2million prizemoney plus a $500,000 bonus for claiming the Summer Series treble, it was a massive day for all involved with the Pierro colt.
He ran to a Timeform rating of 116. With Goodfella and Calculated in the placings, this profiles as an above average Magic Millions Guineas.
Pierata can have a spell now and connections should start looking at the Winter Carnival. The dates for Queensland Guineas and then the Stradbroke Handicap should already be circled in Greg Hickman’s calendar for Pierata.
The last horse to claim the Magic Millions Guineas/Queensland Guineas double was Torio’s Quest in 2011.
Sizzling almost did it in 2013. He ran second in the Magic Millions Guineas behind Saluter then won the Queensland Guineas.
Race 8: Sunlight - Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m)
In an action packed race, Sunlight was lucky to survive getting squeezed for room during the same incident that cost the Jonker any sort of chance.
She recovered well and had the race won 100m from home.
Sunlight then daylight in the 2YO #MagicMillions Classic!@mcevoymitchell's star filly does it again! Sunlight bursts clear, relishing the 1200m and makes it three in a row @GCTurfClub with @lukecurrie in the saddle! @mmsnippets pic.twitter.com/M3EP3S0zLn
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
The win netted her a Timeform rating of 113p. That is a shade below the five year average of the race.
Running to 113p clearly has her as the pick of the 2YO fillies we’ve seen this season.
The Golden Slipper is her next goal. The Golden Slipper/Magic Millions double has been claimed three times, Dance Hero in 2004, Phelan Ready in 2009 and Capitalist in 2016.
She can add her name to that list. She’d be the first filly to achieve the feat.
Fullazaboot was an eye catcher in second. He’s off for a spell and will be set for a Brisbane winter prep. The Stuart Kendrick-trained colt gives every indication a race like the JJ Atkins is right up his alley. All the better Sepoy’s we’ve seen have been seven furlong/mile types.
Ef Troop simply went too hard out in front. He ran 33.65 seconds for the first 600m. That was always going to take it’s toll late.
Race 9: Viddora - Magic Millions Snippets (1200m)
Viddora was simply too classy for her rivals on Saturay and ran to a Timeform rating of 116.
That was impressive. Viddora proves far too classy as she takes out the @mmsnippets the final race on a massive #MagicMillions day. @JoeBowditch never panicked and knew he was on the best horse in race! pic.twitter.com/T2YuKtiIxe
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 13, 2018
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell placed her perfectly. She was pitchforked into that race under Set Weights plus Penalties.
After a four start prep across three states, the I Am Invincible mare will likely be spelled. The Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and The Goodwood (1200m) on home soil at Morphettville later this season profile as ideal races for her.
The five-year-old was going to contest the Goodwood last year but was scratched because of a hoof abcess.
