Space Rider dominates at Eagle Farm for jockey Chad Schofield and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr

Chad Schofield had a late present land under his Christmas tree at Eagle Farm on Saturday when he helped unearth Magic Millions contender Space Rider in one of the most dominant juvenile performances of the season.

Space Rider dashes away under Chad Schofield to win the QTIS 2YO handicap at Eagle Farm for jockey Chad Schofield. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Chad Schofield had a late present land under his Christmas tree at Eagle Farm on Saturday when he helped unearth Magic Millions contender Space Rider in one of the most dominant juvenile performances of the season.

The Sydneysider made the trip to Brisbane for other rides, but was legged aboard the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr first starter in the QTIS 2YO Handicap (1200m) and produced a 3.2-length demolition job, despite punters honing in on other runners in the race.

The win took even Schofield by surprise, asking connections after the race if the horse is Magic Millions eligible.

Bookmakers responded quickly, slashing Space Rider’s quote from $101 to $8 on the fourth line of betting for the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

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“It was nice and straightforward, gee he is a really nice colt,” Schofield said.

“I have ridden him right the way through (in trials) and I have always really liked him, the blinkers went on and it sharpened him up nicely.

“He jumped well today and he got the lead easily, when he travelled as well as he did there, he was always going to be hard to beat, I loved the way he let down when he came off the bridle.

“For a two-year-old colt, he has the most beautiful attitude, he is bombproof and always has been – he helps himself and that takes him a long way.”

Space Rider races away to get the money for @MickPriceRacing! pic.twitter.com/fdQb2rzlvr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

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The $500,000 colt is owned by racing powerhouses Aquis and Kia Ora Stud along with Queenslanders Noel and Maria Greenhalgh.

The race lowered the colours of leading Queensland contenders Formula Rossa (fourth) and Lockyer (sixth), while Kelly Schweida’s Grafterburners ran second but as an Inglis yearling purchase is not eligible for the Magic Millions.

Schofield is set to get a feel of another Magic Millions contender next week at the Gold Coast when he rides Royal Chic for Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald in the Gold Pearl (1100m) – a last chance saloon to get into the $3m 2YO Classic seven days later.

Meanwhile, Beau Dazzler continued his steep upwards trajectory with victory in the $160,000 Eagle Way for trainers Tony and Maddy Sears.

Beau Dazzler is a class above as he makes it two in-a-row! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/rZIgG1GmoA

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 28, 2024

The three-year-old took out the $300,000 Grand Prix on a Heavy 10 last start and backed up his $2.80 favouritism on Saturday under jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester with a tearaway victory to frank his Derby credentials later in the season.

Originally published as Space Rider dominates at Eagle Farm for jockey Chad Schofield and trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr