THE owners have new silverware, a trainer's faith has been vindicated and the horse is enjoying a few weeks R and R.'
Such is life for Outback Barbie (Spirit Of Boom - Pure Purrfection), stunning winner of the $1 million Racing Queensland Magic Millions Open (1300m) and her connections.
Owners Alan and Jenny Acton, Wilpeena, Dingo, were trackside at the Gold Coast when the four-year-old struck paydirt in the final event on the $10m MM race program.
Mr Acton said Outback Barbie's victory, by a short neck over River Racer and former stablemate EF Troop, made ammends for luckless placings in the two-year-old MM Classic in 2018 and MM Guineas for three-year-olds in 2019.
"But it means we have some more baggage to take home," Mr Acton said, referring to the trophy.
"It was very exciting because it had been a dramatic day and was getting pretty dark by the time they raced. It was really good to see her win because she deserved it."
Trainer Tony Gollan thought Outback Barbie was a "good thing" after a solid summer in which he attributed her only failure to an inability to handle the Eagle Farm track when eighth in the George Moore Stakes, beaten six lengths.
"I am happy for the mare and the Actons because they have been very lucky in some big races in the past," Gollan said.
"She is a real favourite with us and she's going to enjoy a few weeks off and then we will think about the winter carnival and Sydney and Melbourne after that."
Gollan suggested winter targets could include the $1 million Doomben 10,000 and the Tatt's Tiara, both of which carry Group 1 status.
"They were on the agenda last year but she had a really awkward campaign with wet tracks and shocking barriers yet she performed well every time she went to the races," Gollan added.
"There's no doubt she is going as well as ever and hopefully we can get the luck this winter that deserted us in 2019."
Outback Barbie's MM win, her fourth in 19 assignments, was worth $592,500 and lifted her raceday earnings to $1,379,475.