| Father-son duo Richard and Will Freedman celebrated their biggest win as a training team when Fashion Legend scored a narrow win in a dramatic $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m, RL). |
| The son of Deep Field surged late to edge out favourite Yellow Brick in a race that changed complexion over the final 200m. Will Freedman paid special tribute to Bon Ho, who paid $260,000 for the now-gelding from the Exceed And Excel mare Sarong, who was prepared for sale at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Rosemont Stud. “He gave me the leap of faith,” Will said of Ho. “This was the first horse I ever bought him and I sent him an email saying that I was a struggling Scone trainer and that I needed some horses. “He went, ‘I like the sound of you’ and he gave me a go. Now I’ve won the Magic Millions Guineas. “I know Group 1s are everything, but this is a pretty big deal for him because he puts a lot of money into it.” Daring leader Spiritualised looked poised to give leading Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, who won the 2YO Classic with Skirt The Law, the day’s prized double when he was still well clear at the 200m but he tired noticeably late. Fashion Legend came to the outside of Spiritualised and $2.70 favourite Yellow Brick, who appeared to labouring from the 600m, to the inside and it was Fashion Legend who held a neck margin at the line. Third, just a long head away, was the Jamie Kah-ridden Hell I Am ($12). While many hailed Spiritualised the winner midway up the straight, Parr never lost faith in the horse who had won his previous three starts. “He’s a tough little horse and was there for me every step of the way,” Parr said. The Guineas win was Fashion Legend’s fifth from just eight starts and the $1.17m first prizemoney elevated his career earnings to $1,457,900. Yellow Brick earned connections $360,000 for finishing second and also pocketed a $181,250 bonus for being the first Racing Women’s Bonus eligible horse home with Cusack collecting the other $68,750 on offer as part of that scheme despite finishing 12th at $201. |
