| Untapped youngster Sovereign Fund emerged as a major player for next month’s $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) after a brilliant debut win in today’s $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m). |
| Sent out a firming $6 chance after an encouraging trial behind recent winner The Novelist, Sovereign Fund was able to track the leaders before sweeping to the front in the straight and winning stylishly. At the post the good looking chestnut juvenile held a length and a quarter margin over the Dubbo trained Quasimoto ($51), while Golden Gift placegetter Summer Loving ($4) was a half head back in third place after being slow at the jump. A member of the Peter and Paul Snowden stable, Sovereign Fund couldn’t have done more on debut and now connections are dreaming of him being able to emulate his sire with a Magic Millions double on January 14. “He’s done a good job,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said. “He’s come a long way in a short space of time.” “Early on he was very shy and didn’t like getting cluttered up between runners. It was quite evident in that first trial.” “We’ve done a lot of work on him and tinkered with his gear. Racing is the key to work it out of him in time. Once he got into that air today he was really strong to the line.” Snowden said Sovereign Fund would now head north to contest the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m, RL) on January 14. “It’s always been the main form race when going north. He’s a pretty tough horse this bloke and he’s got a fair bit of constitution about him. He’s pretty tough and strong – he’ll get up there in good order.” James McDonald, recently crowned the World’s Best Jockey in Hong Kong, was suitably impressed with the performance of Sovereign Fund. “It was a good tradesman’s type performance,” McDonald said. “He put himself into a good spot and travelled strongly.” “He’s a ready made two-year-old, big and strong – he’ll cope with the preparation that’s going to be involved to get him to a Magic Millions (2YO Classic).” “He will improve a lot,” McDonald added. “He’s got tactical speed and he’s very tough – he’s a nice horse.” Sovereign Fund, a son of 2015 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic and Gold Coast 2YO Classic winner Capitalist, was a $550,000 buy for China Horse Club in partnership with Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing. He is a half brother to multiple winner Oblivion and is from the group performed, $290,000 earnings Mossman mare Mossbeat. Meanwhile, trainer John O’Shea looks to have a nice pair of challengers for the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) after Hell I Am and Shalailed dominated today’s Magic Millions Wyong 3YO & 4YO Stakes (1200m). With man of the moment James McDonald in the saddle, Hell I Am was able to lengthen beautifully in the straight when called upon and at the post he held a widening length and half margin. It was the third straight win for Hell I Am, but first from a short break, after wins at Canterbury and Randwick in August and September respectively. A son of Hellbent, Hell I Am was a $150,000 purchase for Champion Thoroughbreds at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Edinglassie Thoroughbreds. The win provided a timely pedigree boost for the team from Edinglassie who will present a Magna Grecia half sister at next month’s 2023 Gold Coast Yearling Sale as Lot 879. The Magic Millions Race Series action now heads north with $12.7 million in prizemoney and bonuses across both January 7 and 14 race meetings at the Gold Coast. |
