Mishani owner Mike Crooks secures first Magic Millions contender with Secret Sort
Mike Crooks’ horses are quickly recognised by their “Mishani” moniker, but Secret Sort has flown under the radar as a rare sales purchase for the big-time owner.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mishani Man Mike Crooks looks to have his first Magic Millions runner of the season sorted, but it comes with a twist.
It won’t carry his famous “Mishani” moniker.
Crooks and his new trainer Donna Stanbridge tasted success at Doomben on Saturday when Secret Sort mowed down Tony Gollan’s hot odds-on favourite Canoodling to win comfortably for apprentice Cody Collis.
Crooks usually breeds his army of horses himself, but tried something different at the sales earlier this year when he purchased Secret Sort for $50,000.
“Mike really liked the Tassort’s, so he was keen to get one,” Stanbridge said.
“He bought this horse from the sales without even looking at it, he just got someone to go and check it out.
“That is why he doesn’t have the Mishani name, there are four others like that too.”
No secrets about it - Secret Sort is a winner!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 9, 2024
The @rajah9879 trained galloper takes Race 1 at Doomben thanks to a great ride by @CodyCollis03!@BrisRacingClubpic.twitter.com/4cpDBbUinl
With Mishani Quest winning at Ipswich on Thursday, Stanbridge has landed her first two two-year-old winners in the space of three days.
Crooks has aimed up for the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic in previous years and looks to have as many runners as possible in the race.
Two months out from the race, Secret Sort is likely to have done enough on Saturday to gain a start.
He will now head to the paddock for a short break before Standbridge plots a path with him.
“He will have a few weeks off, then we will aim towards the Magic Millions with him, we will find a few races in between there,” he said.
“We had our first two-year-old winner on Thursday, now this fella today, so we are hoping to get a few to the Millions.”
JAMES SETBACK
Uncommon James will miss Saturday’s Listed Swiss Ace (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast, with trainer Matt Hoysted opting give him extra time following a below par jumpout.
Hoysted revealed his Group 1 winner will this week head for a scintigraphy scan to get to the bottom of any potential issues as he weighs up his future.
The trainer said he can’t find any faults with his Oakleigh Plate, but won’t leave a stone unturned in his quest to get to the bottom of him.
Hoysted raised the possibility of a trip to New Zealand for the summer, however that now hangs in the balance.
The Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) at Doomben later this month is one of the qualifying races in a bonus series around a New Zealand sprint series.
Originally published as Mishani owner Mike Crooks secures first Magic Millions contender with Secret Sort
Briasa confirmed for The Everest
Brilliant TJ Smith Stakes winner Briasa is the second horse locked in for this year’s The Everest.
Higher Achievement on cards for Waller colt
Trainer Chris Waller has added another two promising colts to his Queensland Winter Carnival arsenal in the form of Hidden Achievement and Sarapo after their quinella at Gosford.