| Alligator Blood and King’s Legacy swept the features on a brilliant day of racing this afternoon as Eagle Farm hosted the annual Road to Magic Millions Raceday. |
One of the country’s most talented three-year-olds, the winning machine Alligator Blood proved too strong winning the Group Three Vo Rogue Plate and cemented his place as warm favourite for the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (RL, 1400m) on January 11. Prepared by top Sunshine Coast based horseman David Vandyke, Alligator Blood proved too good for fellow Guineas aspirants Profit and Eleven Eleven in another powerhouse performance. “The last time we were in a million dollar race we were grabbed on the line,” Vandyke said. “We have plenty of unfinished business to settle in the Millions.” Alligator Blood, a son of All Too Hard, was a $55,000 buy for the Ezybonds No 1 Syndicate at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud. The outstanding gelding has been beaten only once, when nabbed by a nose after being left in front miles from the finish in the Caulfield Guineas. He’s won his other seven races in an eight start career to date. He was sent out the odds on favourite in today’s Magic Millions Vo Rogue Plate after a brilliant recent first up win in the Gold Edition Stakes. Regular rider Ryan Maloney said he can’t wait for the $2 million Guineas in a fortnight. King’s Legacy emerged as a major player for the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) with a strong win in the Group Three BJ McLachlan Stakes later in the afternoon. Co-trainer Peter Snowden was all smiles when the outstanding young prospects reeled in leader Every Rose and raced clear for a brilliant victory under Kerrin McEvoy. “We can give him a nice lead up now without having to worry about qualifying,” Snowden said. King’s Legacy was starting for just the second time today following an eye catching effort when third to current Classic favourite and unbeaten stablemate Aim. The Snowdens have six of the current top 18 qualifiers for the 2YO Classic with as many as five headed to Queensland’s pin up juvenile event. King’s Legacy, a son of Arrowfield Stud’s former champion sire Redoute’s Choice, was one of the most admired colts at January’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he sold to James Harron for a cool $1.4 million. Offered by Segenhoe Stud, King’s Legacy is the first runner for his dam, the stakes performed Hussonet mare Breakfast in Bed. Jami Lady earned a ballot free exemption for the $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open on January 11 with an exciting win in today’s QTIS feature. The Steven O’Dea trained daughter of Spirit of Boom, a graduate of the Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, has now won her past three races and looks a leading player in the QTIS feature in two weeks. Crowd favourite The Candy Man scored a wildcard for the $1 million Ferrari Magic Millions Trophy (2400m) when he scored an effortless win in the Shoot Out Quality. The Barry Baldwin trained grey was sold originally at the Gold Coast National Yearling Sale before Baldwin and connections paid $120,000 for him at the Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale four months later. Trained Rob Heathcote was the proudest man at Eagle Farm when his charge Deep Image cruised to victory in the feature race named after his best horse, globe trotting sprint star Buffering. Deep Image, a $150,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for connections by former trainer David Vandyke, earned a ballot free exemption for the $1 million Pacific Fair Magic Millions Cup (RL, 1400m) on January 11. Tahitian Dancer rounded out the action packed card with an incredible last to first victory in the listed Nudgee Stakes. A valuable stakes win in the day’s final race also clinched a ballot free exemption for her to contest the $1 million Sky Racing Active Magic Millions Fillies & Mares (1300m) on Queensland’s richest raceday. The Shane Nichols prepared Tahitian Dancer gave her sale bound half brother a great boost when he flew home to win in the final few strides. Willow Park Stud, who sold Tahitian Dancer for $80,000, will present her half brother by Lonhro at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Next week the Gold Coast Turf Club will host the final lead ups to the $10.25 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday. The Aquis Raceday on January 4 features three Magic Millions exclusive graduate races and the inaugural running of The Wave for three and four-year-olds with up to $950,000 up for grabs in prizemoney and bonuses for eligible Magic Millions graduates. |
