Hi Barbie chasing emotional win in Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic for family of late cattle baron Alan Acton

Hi Barbie can fulfil the racing dream of late cattle baron Alan Acton when she contests the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Saturday.

Jennifer Acton (left) with daughter Jessica and grandson Tommy as they prepare to cheer Hi Barbie in the Magic Millions in honour of the late Alan Acton. Picture: Ben Dorries

Horse racing barrier draws come and go, but this was much more than a barrier draw for the owner of Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic filly Hi Barbie.

Jennifer Acton’s voice dripped with emotion as she told Racenet how much this meant, racing the filly which was bred by her late husband Alan who died tragically in a helicopter crash in central Queensland in 2023.

Former central Queensland cattle baron Alan Acton achieved a lot in racing – notably through the feats of his one-time star performer Outback Barbie – but he had always longed to win a Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

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Grandson Tommy named the filly and he was there at the Surfers Paradise barrier draw on Tuesday morning with mum Jessica and grandmother Jennifer who was clutching a pink Barbie.

Tommy had named the filly after the family had watched a Barbie movie.

Hi Barbie has made a remarkable comeback to take her place in the $3m Classic on Saturday.

Expensive filly Hi Barbie was beaten a long way last start after suffering a heart condition but recent ECG and other tests have cleared her to start on Saturday.

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Jennifer Acton said her late husband would be looking down from the heavens as proud as punch and he would have wanted the $1.2m filly he bred to start in Saturday’s big race.

“I lost Alan so suddenly and he was the one behind this, he was so passionate about racing,” Jennifer Acton said.

“He gave so much to the racing industry.

Tony Gollan-trained filly Hi Barbie winning on debut last November. Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

“He didn’t get to fulfil a dream that he really did want to win the 2YO Magic Millions race.

“He came close – with Outback Barbie – and now we have a chance with Hi Barbie who is in the race and that’s a big thing in itself.

“Alan would just be so proud to think that I’ve continued his racing dream.

“It’s actually growing day by day, how much I really enjoy it.

“I am just glad I have the ability to be able to continue his (racing) legacy.”

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Champion Queensland trainer Tony Gollan said Hi Barbie is brighter than what she was before he last start and is ready to make a Magic Millions statement on Saturday.

Gollan won his first Magic Millions 2YO Classic in 2023 with Skirt The Law but this would be an even more significant achievement if Hi Barbie could scoot to victory given what she has overcome in the lead-up.

Hi Barbie will be ridden by Tim Clark on Saturday and the filly drifted from $15 to $18 on Tuesday after drawing barrier 14.

However the price has still trimmed from when Hi Barbie was a $26 chance on Monday before her Magic Millions spot was confirmed.

Gollan is launching a three-pronged attack on the 2YO Classic with Hi Barbie being joined by stablemates La Bella Boom ($10) and Formula Rossa ($126).

Originally published as Hi Barbie chasing emotional win in Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic for family of late cattle baron Alan Acton