Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Sunlight confirmed her status as the horse to beat in next Saturday’s Golden Slipper with a dominant win in today’s Group Three Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.
Sent out the hot favourite, Sunlight proved much too good in her final lead up to the world’s richest juvenile event despite working early.
During the early and middle stages the daughter of Zoustar was pestered by Setsuna but showed her class by being able to hold out the rest of the field when that other speed runner faded.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said the filly would now be spot on for next weekend’s Slipper as she attempts to become the fourth juvenile to complete the Magic Millions Classic-Golden Slipper double.
A $300,000 purchase from Widden Stud at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sunlight now boasts earnings of over $1.86 million.
A little later in the afternoon millionaire earner Dothraki added another feature race to his record when he was a deserved winner of the Group Three Maurice McCarten Stakes.
Originally nosed out by an errant Sprightly Lass, Dothraki connections protested the result and after just one minute of deliberations the stewards reversed the placings.
The son of Mossman, who was purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $45,000 at the 2012 National Yearling Sale from Baramul Stud, has now earned his thankful ownership group almost $1.3 million.
Dothraki is now a five time stakes winner and impressively has won stakes races in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
Earlier in the day over in New Zealand the quality High Chaparral mare Montoya Star scored a breakthrough stakes success when triumphant in the Group Three Cuddle Stakes at Trentham.
From the Queensland Oaks placed Stars in Flight, Montoya Star delighted her connections and supporters when she edged out Symphonic in a competitive finish.
A $20,000 purchase for co-trainer Michael Pitman at the 2014 National Yearling Sale from Coolmore Stud, Montoya Star is now a winner of over NZ$180,000 and importantly is a valuable breeding prospect.
In Melbourne the Lindsay Park prepared gelding Sovereign Nation scored a thrilling win in the listed March Stakes (1400m).
After five more than competitive runs at Group One company, Sovereign Nation (Encosta de Lago) enjoyed the drop to listed class and his class shone through over the latter stages of the event.
A Baramul Stud graduate from 2014 Gold Coast 2YOs in Training Sale, Sovereign Nation is a three quarter brother to former outstanding New Zealand based mare Princess Coup. He is also a brother to Houston Benefactor and half brother to Recoinage.
The Gold Coast hosted its inaugural QTIS Jewel raceday with two and three-year-olds racing for big prizes on the eve of this year’s Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
Later in the day the established gallopers hit the track in the listed Goldmarket Handicap and after unleashing a powerful finishing burst it was Raido who was first home.
Carrying the Prime Thoroughbreds colours, Raido stormed home to beat Malvern Estate. Raido is prepared by Tony Gollan and the win capped a big day for jockey Matthew McGillivray.
A $40,000 Perth Yearling Sale buy from Korilya Stud, Raido is by Husson and from the three time Perth winning Royal Academy mare Misguiding. Raido is now a seven time winner and has earned his connections almost $300,000.
Earlier on the Gold Coast card the Spirit of Boom phenomenon continued when his two juveniles filled the first two placings in the $250,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel (1200m).
Outsider Boomsara for Chris Munce and Matthew McGillivray proved too nippy in the rich event and held out his fancied rival Plumaro who was attempting to come from last with her usual withering burst.
A $45,000 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale buy for Munce Racing, Boomsara is now the winner of two races from four starts and his earnings have raced to over $174,000.
Spirit of Boom’s other runner today was also a winner – great news for the team from Eureka Stud and other breeders who have his stock ready to sell on the Coast on Monday and Tuesday.
Sista Act made it three wins from four runs this preparation when she scored a dashing win in the $125,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel (1200m) later in the afternoon.
With proven big race rider Jim Byrne in the saddle, Sista Act cruised home to beat fellow Magic Millions sold runners Skate to Paris and Paradis Imperial.
Sista Act, a daughter of Falvelon, was a $40,000 buy for trainer Liam Birchley from the Fig Tree Thoroughbreds draft at the 2016 Gold Coast March Yearling Sale.
The other feature race at the Gold Coast, the $100,000 Gold Coast Stakes (1800m), was won in great style by progressive middle distance performer Doubt Defying.
The four-year-old gelded son of Not a Single Doubt, who cost his Aquis Farm connections $45,000 at the 2015 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Southern Cross Breeders, has won his past three races.
Doubt Defying, who is from the Black Opal Stakes winner Sarthemare, is trained at Eagle Farm by top horseman Steven O’Dea.
The massive day for Magic Millions graduates was completed late in the day when rising staying talent Like a Butterfly won the Ascot One Thousand Guineas (1800m) in Perth.
Purchased by trainer and part owner Lou Luciani for just $8,000 at the 2016 Perth Winter Yearling Sale, Like a Butterfly made it three wins from just seven starts in style.
The daughter of Blackfriars held out an unlucky Friar Fox in one of the lead ups to the Western Australian Oaks. Recent stakes winner Private Dancer was third as Magic Millions graduates filled all placings in the black type event.
Many of the fillies who contested today’s One Thousand Guineas are Oaks bound and could clash next in the Natasha Stakes at listed level.
