Monday Mail: Nathan Exelby’s wrap of Magic Millions Day
Trainer Tony Gollan had a big week on the Gold Coast, snagging two winners on Magic Millions Day and stocking up with yearling at the sales. Plus, Nathan Exelby reviews the weekend action.
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As he celebrated a million-dollar double at the Gold Coast on Saturday, Tony Gollan began eyeing off perhaps the strongest group of yearlings he’s ever bought.
Gollan dived in the deep end at the Magic Millions sale, signing for nine yearlings under the Gollan Racing banner in Book 1 and secured several others from clients.
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Of the nine in his own name, five were by I Am Invincible, including two for $500,000.
“I hope they’re fast,” Gollan said.
“There’s probably not too many stallions doing a better job than I Am Invincible at the moment.
“We were very happy to get the ‘Vinnys’ when we could.”
Other purchases included progeny of Dundeel (two), Exceed And Excel and So You Think.
The trainer said Saturday’s double with Outback Barbie and Vega One was “right up there” with the best days he’s had on a racecourse.
“We set a lot of horses for the Magic Millions meeting and many years it hasn’t come off for us, but (Saturday) was really surreal and it was great,” he told Radio TAB’s Past The Post.
“Outback Barbie’s win meant a lot. She’s a got a special place for us at the stable.
“Vega One will have everything geared towards the Stradbroke now.
“He’s probably as good a chance as I’ve had if everything goes well.”
■ Star Thoroughbreds’ Denise Martin says it is almost certain three-time Magic Millions F&M winner Invincibella will be sold at May’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Trainer Chris Waller is already preparing for a Sydney autumn campaign, but Martin doesn’t expect her to be back for another winter carnival – at least in the Star colours.
“She’s rising seven and she’s done such a spectacular job,” she said.
“When you have mares of this quality that are going to bring the sort of price that she will, timing is quite critical. She will be very sought after.”
Martin says Invincibella sits up with Star flagbearers such as Sebring and Theseo.
Martin bought 11 yearlings for a total of $2.36 million last week, including a $330,000 Fastnet Rock colt and $100,000 for a daughter of Winning Rupert.
“This sale has been wonderful to Star, right from the outset, Danglissa our first Group 1 winner,” she said.
“I buy about 25 yearlings a year, so this is just under half our total complement.”
MONDAY MAIL
LADBROKES WEEKEND REPORT
Best Result: Away Game, Race 7: Ignored by punters and drifted to a big price.
Worst Result: Alligator Blood, Race 6: Even a lengthy trip on a hot float couldn’t deny him. He was well-backed all week and also a nasty result for the Futures book.
Best Backed: Alligator Blood
THREE TO BACK
Wisdom Of Water, Race 7: Lost ground at the start, then held up on the turn. Big effort.
Jami Lady, Race 5: Should have finished closer to a couple that are proven in G1 grade.
Playthefield, Race 1: Eye-catching effort to run third. Should go through the grades up here.
RISK
Aeecee Beau, Race 1: Punters didn’t want a bar of him and failed to finish off.
THE FLOP
Aim, Race 7: Might have come to the end of it. Didn’t run on after being backed into a clear favourite. Much better than that, given he beat the runner up by four lengths at previous start.
SHARP SHOOTERS
The Candy Man drifted to $3.20 after early punters were taking $2.20. The drift proved a forerunner to what happened on the track.
THE QUOTE
“A few of the boys said ‘your horse isn’t coming, your horse is scratched.’ I wondered what was going on. Then I saw the chopper view on SKY and thought ‘this isn’t good.’ Luckily a few others were caught in the same boat and they put the races back.” — Ryan Maloney on his emotional roller coaster before piloting Alligator Blood to win the Guineas.
THE TALKING POINT
Officials from Racing Queensland and the Gold Coast Turf Club, along with stewards, handled the extraordinary circumstances around Saturday’s meeting with cool heads, allowing the meeting to be completed and all runners to still take their place, despite the traffic chaos. Not so brilliant was QRIC’s handling of the Farnan saga. Absolutely no excuse for the public not to be notified of a problem with one of the Magic Millions favourites.
THE RIDE
James McDonald felt he was unlucky in the opener and then had to watch a ride he gave up because of weight salute, but he picked up the pieces and arrived in time on both Madam Rouge and Outback Barbie.
MARKETS (LADBROKES)
All Star Mile, run March 14
$8 Alligator Blood, Melody Belle
$9 Kolding, Mystic Journey
$10 Catalyst
$16 Super Seth
$18 Castelvecchio, Mr Quickie
$21 Dalasan, Fierce Impact, Flit, Kubrick
$26+ Others
THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Dalby, Scone, Corowa, Werribee
Wednesday: Mackay, Warwick Farm, Caulfield, Yarra Valley, Strathalbyn, Bunbury
Thursday: Doomben, Gosford, Ararat, Pakenham (night), Penola, Geraldton
Friday: Townsville, Canterbury (night), Ballina, Geelong, Cranbourne (night), Esperance
Saturday: Eagle Farm, Rosehill, Flemington, Murray Bridge, Ascot, Gold Coast, Kembla Grange, Camperdown, King Island, Launceston (night), Alice Springs
Sunday: Sunshine Coast, Muswellbrook, Cowra, Werribee, Stony Creek, Mount Barker
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