Sydney struck in the first race on Magic Millions day when quality four-year-old Danrho won the $100,000 Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast.

Prepared by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Danrho had to overcome a serious check from a riderless horse approaching the post, but recovered to win impressively.

At the post the son of Lonhro had a half length margin to spare over Gallinari, while Night Chills was another length and a quarter back in third place.

“The race has been a bit lucky for us over the last few years,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes reported from the winner’s stall.

“He was lucky to pick himself up (after the riderless horse caused interference) and he still wanted to attack the line.”

“I said to Hughie to have him (in the field) where he was comfortable. He tracked up nice and I said he’s the best horse, you do your job as we’ve done ours.”

“He’s a big striding horse. He’s done a fantastic job the horse and he’s above average.”

Connections said the gelding would most likely step up in distance into the future, but there was no firm idea as to where and when he would race next.

“We set him for this race and he’d been going good for this prep. We’ll get past today first and let the owners celebrate first – they’re pretty happy.”

The win in the race was the second in three years for the Hawkes family following the win of Stratford in the race in 2011.

Danrho was purchased by the Hawkes Racing team for $125,000 from the Bellerive Stud at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is a son of the former Hawkes trained champion Lonhro and is from the Melbourne winning Danehill mare Danislew.

Danrho is therefore a full brother to the Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes winner Deer Valley a winner of over a quarter of a million dollars.

Danislew, the dam of Danrho and Deer Valley, is from the unraced Seattle Slew mare Ada Slew – a half sister to former champion galloper Kingston Town – a winner of 30 races and Australian Horse of the Year famous for this three Cox Plate wins.