Boasting an incredible record on the Gold Coast Magic Millions Race Day, Sydney’s Gai Waterhouse had to wait until the seventh race on the card this year but was in the winners’ stall thanks to Spurtonic taking out the Magic Millions Cup 2015.
A five-year-old son of Flying Spur, Spurtonic won his first race since a two and a half-length Group 3 win at Caulfield in the 2013 David Jones Cup over a year ago thanks to a top ride from Hugh Bowman in the $400,000 Magic Millions Cup (1400m).
Spurtonic (insides) wins the 2014 Magic Millions Cup from Strawberry Boy (outside). Picture: Steve Hart
He had just the two runs last year when dead last at Warwick Farm first-up in March and then fifth at Rosehill over 1500m in late October.
He trilled well at Randwick on December 30 however over 1200m with a half-length win before Bowman jumped on his back for the first time in the MM Cup, the horse returning to form to win ahead of possible bigger aims back home in Sydney during the autumn.
“He’s had a recent trial and trialled really well,” Bowman said after the win.
“I expected to be in the first two or three but was in the second half of the field with the pressure on.”
Race favourite was a former horse from Waterhouse’s stables, Strawberry Boy now prepared by Chris Waller.
Damian Browne had Strawberry Boy flying out of barrier one to hit the front attempting to go all-the-way on the last start Villiers Stakes third placed Redoute’s Choice six-year-old.
Strawberry Boy held the lead from Rob Heathcote’s last start Sunshine Coast winner Saluter, who the 2013 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, and the Tony Gollan-trained veteran nine-year-old Gundy Son who won the Goldmarket Handicap at the track last weekend.
Slauter kept the leader in his sights while Phelan Ready moved up to settle third on the inside.
On the swing for home Strawberry Boy was first round the bend while challenges came from right across the field.
Flashing down the outside were the likes of Waterhouse’s 2012 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Driefontein and Robert Smerdon’s Victorian visitor The Bowler coming off a Flemington win over 1400m on New Year’s Day.
But it was a fast finishing Spurtonic ($12) with the blinkers on who surged late to nudge through and beat the $4 top fancy by a nose running away, giving Waterhouse her second Magic Millions Cup trophy following that won in 2008 with Theseo, The Bowler ($6.50) holding for third.
It was a lovely Magic Millions Cup result for Bowman who has been in to form this season and showed once again he was a naturally good right hand whip rider.
“This horse hit the line like no other,” Bowman said.
“It’s wonderful to be here again.”
While yet to confirm next-up plans for Spurtonic, Waterhouse may be tempted to run him during The Championships with a race like $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 a possibility.
“He’s only just come right in the last week or so,” Waterhouse, who is the leading buyer so far at the Magic Millions Sales this year, said.
“He’s one of those funny horses…just taking his time.
“He only really got going the last 200m, or last 150m today.
“But he flew to the post.
“Today was D-Day and we’ll worry about it (what next) when we get back.”
See below for the full Magic Millions Cup 2015 results then head to our preferred online bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au to get in on the final race and get a chance to win shares in a two-year-old filly trained by Peter Moody by placing a minimum $5 bet!
2015 Magic Millions Cup Results & Finishing Order
Gold Coast Race 7 – 10/01/2015
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | SPURTONIC | Gai Waterhouse | Hugh Bowman | – | 10 | 58.5kg | $12 |
| 2 | 2 | STRAWBERRY BOY | Chris Waller | Damian Browne | 0.2L | 1 | 59kg | $4F |
| 3 | 9 | THE BOWLER | Robert Smerdon | Brenton Avdulla | 0.4L | 5 | 54kg | $6.50 |
| 4 | 1 | DRIEFONTEIN | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 0.7L | 11 | 59.5kg | $8 |
| 5 | 7 | HARADA BAY | John, Dan & Chris Meagher | Michael Cahill | 0.8L | 13 | 54kg | $8 |
| 6 | 4 | PHELAN READY | Jason McLachlan | Luke Tarrant (a) | 1.8L | 2 | 56kg | $6.50 |
| 7 | 5 | SALUTER | Robert Heathcote | Jim Byrne | 2L | 9 | 54kg | $15 |
| 8 | 6 | GUNDY SON | Tony Gollan | Tegan Harrison | 2.3L | 4 | 54kg | $19 |
| 9 | 8 | INTO THE RED | Kelso Wood | Chris Munce | 2.4L | 12 | 54kg | $14 |
| 10 | 14 | PALMERA LAD | Roslyn Pratt | Anthony Allen | 3.4L | 14 | 54kg | $31 |
| 11 | 11 | ABU BEN ADAM | Pat Duff | Glen Colless | 3.5L | 8 | 54kg | $41 |
| 12 | 15 | DOUSAICHI | Trevor Bailey | Timothy Bell | 3.6L | 7 | 54kg | $151 |
| 13 | 10 | ROMANARMA | Desleigh Forster | Daniel Griffin | 4.6L | 3 | 54kg | $31 |
| 14 | 12 | FOXBAT | Trevor Bailey | Christian Reith | 17.1L | 6 | 54kg | $101 |
| – | 13 | SNIPPETS LAND | Peter & Paul Snowden | – | – | 0 | – | – |
