Gai Waterhouse and Barry Humphries’ widow, Lizzie Spender, victorious at Magic Millions

The widow of the late, great Barry Humphries has landed a big win on Magic Millions day at the Gold Coast.

Gai Waterhouse has written another chapter in her extraordinary story, landing a winner on Magic Millions day with help from above from the late Barry Humphries.

The Hall of Famer’s first starter Too Darn Lizzie took out the fillies division of The Debut, for famous English stage composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber, however it was Humphries’ widow Elizabeth Spender who stole the show.

Lizzie Spender with Barry Humphries.

Humphries died in April last year, with Waterhouse savouring the emotional moment at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

“It is a great story,” Waterhouse said.

“Madeleine and Andrew Lloyd-Webber from all the great musicals we grew up knowing, are friends with Barry Humphries’ widow, Lizzie.

“She is here today, she flew up from Sydney.

“Madeleine said ‘we’re not in Australia enough, we will name it Too Darn Lizzie, and Lizzie, you can be there to watch her too.”

An emotional Spender said it had been a lifeline ambition to go into horse ownership, with

🌸💗 TOO DARN LIZZIE is too darn good for them in the @mmsnippets fillies The Debut 🐎 💨 Congratulations to owners Andrew & Madeleine Lloyd-Webber and Lizzie Spender 🎭 🥂 pic.twitter.com/XVaLIwK5EC

— Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) January 13, 2024

Waterhouse and training partner Adrian Bott delivering.

“They tried to call the horse Lizzie Spender, but they turned that down, so we went for Too Darn Lizzie instead,” she said.

“Gai has done the most wonderful job and thanks to Madeleine Lloyd-Webber, my friend who bred Too Darn Hot and purchased his progeny.

“It is such an honour to be here today as an owner and have the horse named after me.”

It comes as Melbourne Cup winner Michael Rodd made a triumphant return to Magic Millions day following a debilitating battle with post-concussion syndrome.

Returning after a three-year layoff last year, Rodd had hoped to have a “good book of rides at Ipswich” on Magic Millions, however he was back in racing’s penthouse after winning the colts and geldings division of The Debut aboard Lead Me On.

"Three months ago when I just started riding track work, I said to myself if I can have a good book of rides at Ipswich today I'd be really happy, so it's very nice to be down here I can tell you."

- Michael Rodd after his winning ride aboard Lead Me On. pic.twitter.com/Tgc7afkQES

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) January 13, 2024

“I said three months ago when I started riding trackwork that if I said to myself I’d have a good book of rides at Ipswich today I’d be really happy so it is very nice to be here,” Rodd said.

“It is a bit surreal, to tell you the truth.”

It marked a huge win for Eagle Farm trainer Chris Anderson and his partnership with big time owner Max Whitby, who purchased the horse for just $50,000.

Originally published as Gai Waterhouse and Barry Humphries’ widow, Lizzie Spender, victorious at Magic Millions