Falconic booked his place in the field for the Gold Coast feature with an impressive win at Rosehill, while Houtzen made a stunning start to her racetrack career and will now also chase a berth in the rich event.
Gary Portelli enjoyed a great deal of relief when he saddled Falconic to victory – giving his large team of lady owners plenty to look forward to on January 14.
Falconic is not only chasing stardom in the race, but also an extra rich payday being an eligible runner for the $500,000 Magic Millions Racing Women bonus.
The first all female owned eligible runner across the line in the Classic will pocket $325,000 along with any original earnings from the race itself. The second to fourth finishing eligible runners will share another $175,000.
Falconic, with the in form Koby Jennings in the saddle, cruised home to beat fellow Magic Millions graduate All Too Huiying by a length and a quarter.
“I will think about a set of blinkers for a high pressure race like the Magic Millions (Classic),” Portelli said. “Obviously he has to improve off that for the Magic Millions, but he is honest and he is in the race.”
A $105,000 for part owner Jenny Moses at January’s 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Turangga Farm, Falconic has already earned over $80,000 with the promise of more to come in his bright future.
The win was timely for the Zoustar half brother to Falconic being prepared by Turangga for January’s 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is lot 347.
Leading Gold Coast based trainer Toby Edmonds unearthed a leading local contender for his home track’s biggest race at Doomben a little later in the afternoon.
Houtzen (pictured), a filly by I Am Invincible, couldn’t have been more impressive in her Doomben debut, leading from start to finish for an auspicious four length success.
The filly, who like Falconic cost $105,000, broke the class record and finished just under three tenths outside the course record when she sizzled home under Jeff Lloyd.
The main problem now for connections of the exciting prospect is getting her locked into the field for the $2 million feature.
“Jeff knew before the race that he was on the best horse and to just let her roll along,” Edmonds told reporters.
The filly is currently equal 17th in the order of entry with a final field of 16 runners declared on the Monday before the big race.
“If we have to give her another run to make the Magic Millions (field) then so be it,” he added.
The race to make the field for the $2 million Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic is in overdrive. A handful of races around Australia will help shape the line up in the next two weeks.
PIC – Ross Stevenson.
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