Stakes Wins Highlight Magic Weekend


Led by stakes winning performances from Fire Up Fifi, Enquare and Summah’s Touch, Magic Millions graduates had a field day on tracks around Australia on Saturday.

Fire Up Fifi earned a spell with another feature race win under her belt after leading home a Magic Millions trifecta in the listed Centenary Classic Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The five-year-old grey mare held out gallant last start Eyeliner Stakes winner Conservatorium to win by a short neck – her 11th wins from just 29 starts.

Trainer Robert Heathcote said Fire Up Fifi would head to the paddock before coming back for a run in Sydney and then on to Melbourne where her major mission will be the Group One Myer Classic.

A $5,500 purchase for owner Graham Billinghurst from the Baraton Stud draft at the 2009 Magic Millions August Thoroughbred Sale, Fire Up Fifi has now won over $397,000.

By Magic Millions Classic winner Bradbury’s Luck, Fire Up Fifi is the headline performer among four winners for the well related and twice winning West by West mare Manicured.

Enquare will be spelled with more stakes races in mind after she scored a valuable first time black type win in the listed Breakfast Creek Hotel Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

A runner-up at her previous run when she chased home classy juvenily Missy Longstocking in the listed Hampden Stakes, Enquare now boasts two wins and two placings from just six runs.

Enquare by former Magic Millions graduate and Golden Slipper winner Stratum, was purchased by Rob Slade from Slade Bloodstock for $45,000 from the Southern Cross Breeders draft at last year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast.

She is one of three winners for the 100 per cent winner producer Skewiff.

A daughter of Mookta, Skewiff was a high class Victorian racemare who won 12 races and over $500,000 including a pair of Group Three and listed race wins before being retired to stud.

Classy Perth filly Summah’s Touch continued a golden run for Scenic Lodge sire Blackfriars when she steamed home to win the listed Belmont Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.

A brave runner-up in the Western Australian Oaks at her last run before a short break, Summah’s Touch let her class shine through as she proved much too good for her rivals.

Trainer Adam Durrant, who bought the Blackfriars filly for $30,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, wasn’t surprised with the win from the $14 pop.

“She’s a class filly and her work at home had been great and she won a trial,” Durrant said. “It’s no surprise to see the fillies quinella the race – they were the top earners in the race and they were the proven performers.”

The win provided leading Perth apprentice Ben Paterson with his first feature race success.

Summah’s Touch will start next in the Belmont Oaks (2000m) on Saturday week before the Belmont Classic (2200m) two weeks later.

One of 24 stakes winners for the VRC Derby winner Blackfriars and already the earner of over $243,000 from just 15 starts, Summah’s Touch is a full sister to the stakes performed 12 time winner Friar’s Touch.

Sydney’s Randwick meeting get through three races before persistent rain led to the abandonment of the meeting – but time for a pair of Magic Millions juveniles to strut their stuff in style.

Wouldnt it be Nice (Choisir-Mia Cat Dancer), a $40,000 Gold Coast Yearling purchase from Southern Cross Breeders, cruised to ictory in the Australian Turf Club Plate for the Paul Perry stable.

It was fitting the youngster should win for the same stable that prepared Choisir on the 10th anniversary of his famous Golden Jubilee Stakes win at Royal Ascot. 

Wouldnt it be Nice is the first named foal for the American stakes winning Tactical Cat mare Mia Cat Dancer – a half sister to Delaware stakes winner Skip the Print.

Just over half an hour later Northern Glory (Northern Meteor-Cliantha), a $50,000 Gold Coast Yearling value buy from Royston Stud, led home a Magic Millions and Northern Meteor quinella when she won the Become an ATC Sponsor 2YO Plate.

Prepared by Gai Waterhouse, Northern Glory sent her earnings soaring over $150,000 when she conintued a great winning trend by her quality family.

Northern Glory is one of two winners for the city winning Viscount mare Cliantha – a half sister to Group Three winner Clothilde and Macau star Clown Master.

Other impressive Magic Millions graduates to win on Saturday included:

  • The Cleaner (Savoire Vivire-Dash of Scotch, $10,000 at 2009 Tasmanian Yearling Sale from OR & SA Atkins) in the David Bourke Provincial Plate at Flemington.
  • Goldslick (Bradbury’s Luck-Alleged Encounter, $20,000 at 2010 QTIS Yearling Sale from Yarramalong Park) in the Eugene Gorman Handicap at Flemington.
  • Discreet (Show a Heart-Lady Danzero, $50,000 at 2011 QTIS Yearling Sale from Highgrove Stud) in the Hardy Brothers Jewellers Handicap at Eagle Farm.
  • Star Rolling (Casino Prince-Uneasy, $155,000 at 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Cressfield) in the Brian Beattie Handicap at Flemington.
  • Ten Aces (Scenic-Laurelaine, $105,000 at 2007 Perth Yearling Sale from Durham Lodge) in the Ozbet.com.au Handicap at Belmont.
  • Club Command (Commands-Stepping, $150,000 at 2010 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Raheen Stud) in the Winter Championship Series Heat Handicap at Flemington.
  • Wicked Dreams (Key Business-Danzotto, P$17,000 at 2008 Adelaide Yearling Sale from Kambula Stud) in the Distinctive Homes Handicap at Morphettville Parks.
  • Mr Zoolander (Any Suggestion-T.H. Dancer, $11,000 at 2011 National Yearling Sale from Twin Peaks) in the Peggy McKinnon Handicap at Morphettville Parks.

PICS – Dan Costello, Damien Wyer and Sportpix.