Sunlight shines at Magic Millions

There’s now a strong case to re-name it the ‘Sunlight State’ after the dazzling win by the filly Sunlight in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

In fact the filly now has a three-from-three winning record in Queensland – all at the Gold Coast – preceded by a third in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington last November. There’s also every reason to proclaim “Sunlight first – daylight second” as her winning margins now total more than 11 lengths over her past three starts.

Sunlight (Zoustar/Solar Charged) overcame early interference when the filly and other favoured runners – undefeated Ef Troop and Jonker –- were involved in an incident about 200m after the start. But it was the Victorian filly that stood up best, powering away to score by two lengths with Queensland-trained horses finishing second, third and fourth.

Second went to 100-1 outsider Fullazaboot (c Sepoy/Fullazz) prepared by Sunshine Coast  trainer Stuart Kendrick while Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan provided third and fourth placegetters with filly Outback Barbie and gelding Ef Troop – both stakes winning progeny of current leading first season Spirit Of Boom.

Trainer Tony McEvoy said the decision to acclimatise Sunlight with two lead-up runs in Queensland was the hallmark of Saturday’s victory. The veteran horseman, who combined with Aquis Farm and Bluesky Bloodstock to buy Sunlight for $300,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, parted with $600,000 to secure her full sister at the sale on Friday – the day before the race. Both are by dual Group 1 winning sprinter Zoustar from  Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes winner Solar Charged (Charge Forward) who in turn is from the winning Danehill mare Soul Singer.

McEvoy said the brilliant filly would now be aimed at the Group 1 Golden Slipper at Rosehill in April. Sunlight is owned entirely by female connections, who secured an additional $325,000 as part of the Magic Millions’ Racing Women promotion. It’s the third time the winner of the 2YO Classic has picked up the Racing Women bonus with this year's $1.525 million winner’s cheque the biggest in the 32 year history of the Magic Million 2YO Classic.

SYDNEY trainer Greg Hickman and jockey Corey Brown combined for the biggest payday in Queensland racing history on Saturday when Pierata (Pierro/November Flight) justified his short quote to win the $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).

The 3YO colt picked up $1.2 million for his win and an additional $500,000 bonus for claiming Racing Queensland’s 3YO Summer Crown after feature wins in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate and the Listed Winning Rupert Plate at Doomben last month.

Hickman, who paid $160,000 for the son of Golden Slipper winner Pierro at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, was both delighted and relieved with the victory and predicted further improvement from Pierata over the coming 12 months. Pierata is the second Group 3 winner produced from the Flying Spur mare November Flight – herself a Group 3 winner who also features Golden Slipper winner Century Miss close up in her pedigree.

Pierata's win continued the Magic Millions success for Hickman, who also trained last year's Magic Millions Fillies and Mares winner Private Secretary. The win also continued an incredible season for reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Corey Brown who said he was thrilled to claim a second Magic Millions Guineas – more than a decade after piloting Tippitaka to victory in 2005.

PREMIER Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan may not have won the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but his Gold Coast runners earned nearly $1 million.

Racing & Sports webnews reports that although naturally disappointed he didn't win the Magic Millions Classic, Gollan can take heart from the fact he is still clearly king of the Queensland summer.

Gollan has targeted summer carnivals and has won 15 feature races in recent years. He had another wonderful summer with the highlight Magic Millions day on Saturday even though Outback Barbie and Ef Troop ran third and fourth in the 2YO Classic.

Gollan-trained horses won $921,250 at the meeting with the lion's share coming from I'm A Rippa's $600,000 first prize in the $1 million Magic Millions QTIS Handicap. By Love Conquers All from Derippa, I’m A Rippa was a bargain buy for $55,000 at the Magic Millions sales and has now earned almost $810,000 in prizemoney with five wins and as many placings from 21 starts.

I’m A Rippa’s Magic Millions win lifted Gollan’s stable summer carnival earnings to just under $1.5 million which included feature wins by Ef Troop (Phelan Ready Stakes), Outback Barbie (Calaway Gal Stakes) and Most Important (Lough Neagh Stakes). Gollan also picked up a $50,000 bonus for being the leading trainer in the Summer Crown race series.

KILCOY Race Club will host another Dual Code Australia Day race meeting on Friday,  January 26, 2018.

A six gallop race program, together with a three grass trotting race program and three Mini Trotting races plus 60 metre sprint races for adults, teens and children  will be the highlights of the day. A strong ring of Bookmakers and Ubet will operate on all gallop and Grass Trotting races.

The best original Australia Day dressed fashions for the day will be voted by the applause given by the crowd for each entrant that will be paraded on the race track.

The six gallop races are:

The three Grass trotting races will be mobile starts run over 1820 metres while Mini Trotting will once again draw applause from patrons for the young drivers of the future.

For Trackside Pavilion or Mini Marquee bookings call Murray Chapple, 0400 167 239.