Magic Millions: Rags to riches tales the true Magic behind the Millions
Three years ago, Michael Costa spotted a filly at the Magic Millions sales he believed he could train into a champion. On Saturday he’ll be proven right - or wrong.
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Three years ago, Michael Costa spotted a filly at the Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast he believed he could train into a champion.
It cost $70,000 from an ownership cabal of 15 to buy her.
Later today (SAT), Costa and co’s investment in three-year-old Malahide could be earned back twofold in less than two minutes of racing.
The rags to riches nature of racing’s smallest players is the real magic behind the ‘Millions, where the skill of identifying and training up horses from previous sales can trump the bloated auction budgets of industry giants come race-day.
A horse bought for $70,000 is no worse a chance than a horse bought for $1 million once those barrier gates are cleared.
“It’s a big event for anyone,” Costa said.
“It’s a lot of money on offer. It’s one of the bigger prizemoney races we’ll compete in all year.
“Malahide is a progressive filly and she looks to be a live chance in a quarter-million dollar race, which is great.
“We paid $70,000 for her which is a lot of money but still relatively cheap in comparison to the big scheme of the sale.
“She won her first race and then won the Aquis Jewel in town, so she’s had a very successful first prep.
“She’s always been a horse we’ve had a lot of time for and was always going to be a horse that progresses well over time.
“(Her chances) will depend on luck and the pace of the race and how the track plays, but I wouldn’t want to be going into the race with any other horse.”
Racing on home turf is an advantage Costa won’t be taking lightly against a large, talented field of southeast Queenslanders and a flutter of interstate runners.
Malahide will start as third-favourite ($7.00 – Ladbrokes) in Race 9, the three- and four-years Magic Millions Rising Stars Fillies and Mares, for a prize pool of $250,000.
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