Isti Star delivers on her potential to take out the rich Magic Millions National Classic on Friday night
Trainer Paul Shailer was grinning from ear to ear after Isti Star took out Magic Millions National 2YO Classic on Friday night.
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Chris Waller’s former right-hand man Paul Shailer thought he could win the $3m Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January with exciting filly Isti Star, but was delighted to take a rich consolation prize on the same track on Friday night.
Since starting his own training operation after more than a decade working with Waller, former Kiwi Shailer has enjoyed the backing of some powerful owners as he tries to build up his Gold Coast stable.
He enjoyed a major moment in his solo training career when $110,000 purchase Isti Star made the most of an inside barrier and the services of Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd to land the $1m Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) on the coast on Friday night.
While easing $2.70 favourite Prince Tycoon was slow away from a wide gate and had to make a searching run, Isti Star was sitting pretty near the lead and won in fine style.
There had been strong betting support for the filly which firmed from $11 to $7.50 in official fluctuations, beating the luckless Prince Tycoon while Secret Sort finished third at $41.
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“I’m thrilled to bits and I’m so proud of this filly because she has been through a lot,” Shailer said.
“She was identified early on as a horse with immense talent.
“We thought we could win the Magic Millions with her, but it just went terribly wrong and she is a horse who suffers from allergies and she went shin sore.
“We just had to put her aside and be patient.”
Isti Star resumed this preparation in the Listed Calaway Gal but finished out of the placings after copping a rain-affected Eagle Farm track and a wide barrier.
She was then sent to an Ipswich provincial meeting for a confidence building win, smashing her opposition by more than five lengths.
Shailer is hoping the win is the start of good things to come for his stable.
He has Deep Focus as a $15 chance in next week’s Group 1 Queensland Derby and is confident about his prospects after an eye-catching runner-up effort in the Rough Habit Plate after steaming home from the back of the field.
Originally published as Isti Star delivers on her potential to take out the rich Magic Millions National Classic on Friday night
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