3 minute read
Houtzen has overcome a wide barrier to claim victory in the two-year-old Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday, remaining undefeated from three career outing
Jumping from the widest barrier with Jeff Lloyd on board, Houtzen rolled forward to take up the lead and proved too strong for her rivals, scoring a half length win over Chauffeur in second with Madeenaty in third.
Houtzen, a daughter of I Am Invincible ran to a Timeform figure of 113p and did not have to improve on her previous effort when winning with ease at the Gold Coast over 1100m.
The Toby Edmonds-trained runner is the first filly to win the race since Real Surreal in 2013 who ran to 111 with 2016 winner Capitalist returning a figure of 116.
Houtzen continued the strong record for last start winners, becoming the 19th from the last 23 renewals.
Jumping the $4 favourtie, Houtzen was the 11th favourite to win in the last 23 years (47.8%), joining 2016 winner Capitalist and Unencumbered (2014) in recent times.
Houtzen will now be looking to become the fourth horse to win the Magic Millions – Golden Slipper double with Dance Hero (2004), Phelan Ready (2009) and Capitalist (2016) the only other three to complete the double.
Dance Hero ran to 123, Phelan Ready 117 and Capitalist 116 when winning the Magic Millions before all improving when taking out the Golden Slipper.
Of the beaten brigade, second placegetter Chauffeur ran to 115, improving ten pounds from his previous effort with Medeenaty in third running to 103, the same figure she ran to when winning the Wyong Magic Millions.
The Racing and Sports field strength value of 112.6 was above the 2016 renewal of 109.7.
The Three-year-old Magic Millions Gold Coast Guineas saw a big upset with Flying Jess claiming victory at $101, the biggest winning price since the race’s inception in 2001.
Setting off midfield, the John Moloney-trained runner was able to get the better of her rivals with a narrow win over Global Glamour in second with Eckstein third and short priced favourite Winning Rupert almost two lengths back in fourth.
Flying Jess ran to a clear new career peak Timeform figure of 109, nine pounds above her previous best achieved at Sandown late last year and is the seventh filly to win the race since 2001.
The last filly to win was Sweet Idea in 2014 who ran to 111 when beating Estonain Princess and Enquare which is the only other time fillies have filled all three placings.
2016 winner Mahuta ran to 116, coming to the race with significantly better form, winning the Sandown Guineas the start prior.
Global Glamour in second returned a Timeform figure of 112, the highest of the race, four pounds below her previous peak achieved in both the Flight Stakes and Thousand Guineas with Eckstein in third running to a new peak of 106.
Winning Rupert who jumped the $1.60 favourtie was disappointing back in fourth and ran to 110, significantly lower than the 120+ he ran to in the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate the start prior.
Stratum Star was able to keep his strong form going with a tougher victory in the Magic Millions Trophy (2200m).
Having been freshened since taking out the Group 1 Kingston Town at Ascot late last year, The Darrern Weir-trained runner settled off the leaders before proving too strong over the concluding stages with Feltre in second and Payroll third.
Stratum Star returned a Timeform figure of 111, ten pounds below his Kingston Town win, four pounds below 2016 winner Tinto who also got the better of Feltre on that occasion.
Feltre in second returned a Timeform figure of 95, his highest since running third in listed company at Eagle Farm last year behind Cylinder Beach.