Trainer Chris Waller celebrated a big win on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast with his in-form mare Madam Rouge too good late nabbing the Godolphin galloper Isaurian right on the line in a thrilling 2020 Magic Millions Sprint result.
Madam Rouge was impressive winning the 2020 Magic Millions Sprint in a photo. Photo: Steve Hart.
The $1 million Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) – formerly the Magic Millions Sprint – was a two horse battle over the closing furlong after the race favourite Champagne Cuddles ($4.60) went amiss and was retired form the race 300m out from the line.
Down the outside it became a showdown between powerhouse stables Godolphin and Team Waller with two last start winners – Exceed And Excel gelding Isaurian and four-year-old Zoustar mare Madam Rouge – fighting it out to the finishing post.
Last start Madam Rouge was ridden to victory at Randwick on December 28 by Kathy O’Hara in the Listed Christmas Classic (1200m).
The classy Group 3 winner enjoyed racing over her pet distance again in the Magic Millions Sprint with ace hoop James McDonald coming aboard for the ride.
McDonald and Madam Rouge had the benefit of the inside alley, but without the speed to hold her position the mare had to come back midfield along the fence.
Once on the straight, McDonald took no chances and got out on his mount giving chase to the well-ed James Cummings-trained Isaurian donning the famous Royal Blue silks.
Isaurian was out to complete a Queensland Summer Racing Carnival double following his lead-up win in the $140,000 Listed Magic Millions Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 21.
Finishing strongly down the outside having taken over duties up front from the pacemaker, in-form Queensland Tarzan, Isaurian looked the winner.
Madam Rouge however kept chasing and would not let the gelding out of her sights in a two-horse thriller that went down to the wire in a photo finish.
Having dug deep, Madam Rouge just got there in a gutsy performance having given Isaurian the head start before reeling him back in during a perfectly timed ride by McDonald that showed off her powerful finish.
The quinella had a space over the remainder of the field including Morrissy who finished third for the fourth time on the trot.
“She’s been racing really well,” McDonald said of the Magic Millions Snippets winner post-race.
“Her last start was tremendous and franks that form.
“She’s a very good horse and she deserves this million-dollar race.”
It was a huge payday connections for the $310,000 buy and Waller was thrilled with the result as well as the ride by McDonald.
“James certainly did a great job today,” Waller said.
“She drew barrier one today…you could see with her today she was three back the fence, she had a lot of horses in front of her.
“James didn’t take risks, he went out and obviously got clear running, set sail for home and just got there in time.”
A return to Sydney for the autumn carnival now looks likely for the flying Madam Rouge.
2020 Magic Millions Snippets Results & Finishing Order
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Barrier | Weight | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | MADAM ROUGE | Chris Waller | James McDonald | – | 1 | 56kg | $4.80F | |
| 2 | 4 | ISAURIAN | James Cummings | Robbie Fradd | 0.2L | 7 | 57.5kg | $5 | |
| 3 | 12 | MORRISSY | Leon & Troy Corstens | Craig Williams | 2.7L | 15 | 56kg | $17 | |
| 4 | 1 | KEMALPASA | Richard & Chantelle Jolly | Jake Toeroek | 3L | 3 | 59kg | $12 | |
| 5 | 13 | CONSTANT FLIGHT | David Vandyke | Ryan Maloney | 3.2L | 5 | 56kg | $16 | |
| 6 | 2 | HARD EMPIRE | Richard & Chantelle Jolly | Ryan Plumb | 3.3L | 13 | 58kg | $31 | |
| 7 | 15 | CZARSON | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tommy Berry | 4.55L | 14 | 54.5kg | $18 | |
| 8 | 10 | SCALLOPINI | Steven O’Dea | Boris Thornton | 4.65L | 11 | 56kg | $6.50 | |
| 9 | 7 | SPENDING TO WIN | Peter & Paul Snowden | Tim Clark | 5.4L | 2 | 57kg | $31 | |
| 10 | 3 | WHYPEEO | Toby & Trent Edmonds | Glen Boss | 5.5L | 10 | 57.5kg | $41 | |
| 11 | 14 | WILL’S BID | Angela Plumb | Andrew Mallyon | 6.25L | 6 | 56kg | $201 | |
| 12 | 6 | TARZAN | Stuart Kendrick | Luke Tarrant | 8.25L | 9 | 57kg | $17 | |
| 13 | 11 | THREE SHEETS | Jeremy Sylvester | Larry Cassidy | 9L | 8 | 56kg | $201 | |
| 14 | 9 | JUNGLIZED | Brad Widdup | Hugh Bowman | 11.5L | 4 | 56kg | $71 | |
| FF | 5 | CHAMPAGNE CUDDLES | Bjorn Baker | Nash Rawiller | – | 12 | 57kg | $4.60 |
