Competitive racing was the story of the night and one of the night’s feature races provided the smallest winning margin in the race’s history.
In a thrilling finish the race debutant Heaven’s Delight edged out the favourite Derasa to win the $50,000 Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic (1200m).
Heaven’s Delight, who had trialled brilliantly leading into the race, showed speed throughout and led her rivals into the straight.
Derasa, narrowly beaten in the recent Elwick Stakes, sat second throughout and looked the winner when she ranged up in the straight.
But showing great fighting capabilities at her first start, Heaven’s Delight was able to fight back on the fence and win.
Trainer Gary White was not surprisingly delighted with the win.
“That was a big effort,” White said. “From the outside barrier at her first start.”
Winning rider Daniel Moor told owners David and Louise Adams the filly had a bright future.
“She’s got a good deal of ability,” Moor said. “She was very strong to the line and to see a two-year-old fight back after being headed, that was a great sign.”
Both Moor and White thought their charge had been narrowly beaten in the photo finish.
Heaven’s Delight was presented at last year’s sale by Armidale Stud but was passed in after failing to reach her $50,000 reserve.
The yearling full brother to Heaven’s Delight by Star Witness is Lot 95 and will be presented by the Armidale team tomorrow afternoon.
Both Heaven’s Delight and her sale bound full brother are from the smart Stratum mare Heaven’s Choice – a daughter of Prayer Time, a twice winning two-year-old half sister to Victoria Derby winner Polanski.
Meanwhile, progressive galloper Happy Halloween added a feature win to his resume when he proved too strong in the $50,000 Tasbreeders Magic Millions 3YO Classic.
The only runner on the night for leading trainer Stuart Gandy, Happy Halloween proved a length too strong for his rivals under the urgings of in form rider Siggy Carr.
“He’s been a great pick up for the stable,” Gandy said. “He’s a lovely horse – easy to train and is racing in great form.”
A $56,000 purchase for her owner Graeme Gathercole at the 2015 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Happy Halloween was bred by Gerry Harvey and sold through the draft of Baramul Stud.
A gelded son of A.P. Indy’s group winning son Congrats, Happy Halloween is from an unraced Encosta de Lago daughter of Group Two winner Magically.
To view the online catalogue for tomorrow’s 2017 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale click here.
