The Magic Millions gamble turned masterstroke

Galloping gelding Shadow of Time, the grandson of a Magic Millions discard, has proved his weight in gold to his Sunshine Coast family owned team.

BIG HEART: Katie Barr with Shadow of Time which is showing good form ahead of the Fred Best Plate at Doomben this weekend. Photo: Warren Lynam

RACING: Galloping gelding Shadow of Time, the grandson of a Magic Millions discard, has proved his weight in gold to his Sunshine Coast family owned team.

With four wins and a place under his belt, the three-year-old has flown to $55,000 in prize money already from just eight starts.

He is trained by Corbould Park-based father and daughter duo Stewart and Katie Barr who have carefully harnessed his career.

Days out from his next race – the Fred Best 3YO Plate at Doomben – Ms Barr recalled the day she took a chance when others were reluctant to.

She said his grandmother, Endless Maize, was purchased at a Magic Millions auction for a “bargain” $36,000.

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It was a gamble turned masterstroke that was years in the making.

“She was the first purchase we made and she went really cheap,” Katie said.

“On that day she was really nervous. She got all worked up and hot and sweaty. No one bid.

“We took a punt on her and it paid off. She has never been like that again and turned into a significant horse.

“It’s funny how it works out sometimes.”

Endless Maize eventually foaled Shadow of Time where a career was born.

Ms Barr said Shadow of Time was a gelding that is always striving to improve.

“He’s a really quirky horse, so full of personality,” she said.

“Everyone loves him. He is really kind and loves just his work.

“He will always give 110 per cent. He just wants to get better and better.”

Stewart said Shadow of Time has drawn barrier seven for the $125,000 plate on Saturday.

Should he do well there, the Stradbroke could be on the cards.

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“There are some serious horses in the Fred Best,” Stewart said.

“Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, Gary Moore, it will really show us how well he really is going.

“It really is a matter of seeing how he goes this weekend. It might be his grand finale before a spell, or he might have one more go in him.

“We will know soon enough.”

Even if he is pipped in the big metro race, Stewart said one thing was certain.

“He is one tough bugger. The one thing you can count on him is that he will give it a red-hot go,” he said.

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