| Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse’s incredible record at the Magic Millions Raceday on the Gold Coast was enhanced even further on Saturday when tenacious stayer So United prevailed in a photo finish to decide the $1 million Magic Millions Subzero (2200m). |
| In typical fashion for the stable, which is renowned for producing tough horses that can absorb pressure on the speed, So United led the big field from barrier 10 under jockey Tim Clark. Parry Sound and Zenzella loomed as winning chances at the top of the straight and while the former got within a head of So United, he couldn’t get past the gallant six-year-old. It was a 19th win on Magic Millions Raceday for Waterhouse, who tasted success earlier in the day with two-year-old filly Too Darn Lizzie, and training partner Adrian Bott said there was a sense of relief to win in such a close finish. Bott said syndicator Blueblood Thoroughbreds paid $190,000 for the son of So You Think out of the Valiant Stud draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale after his half-brother Unite And Conquer hit the scene as one of the best two-year-olds of the season. “There’s a bit of relief there because the runs were coming strong out wide and I wasn’t sure we got the bob in,” Bott said. “He deserved that, he made the running and kicked well. “They (progeny of So You Think) can be late maturing and they excel once they get over a bit of a trip. “It’s funny, we had his half-brother (Unite And Conquer) here as favourite at one stage for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and I think that year Bluebloods came back and bought his half-brother, which was this horse. “Here we are a few years later in the staying race.” The win was also the second leg of a double for Clark, who said So United had taken benefit from his win at Randwick last month. “He was really brave,” Clark said. “He came here off the back of a really good win at Randwick and I think that win gave him the confidence coming here today. “He was really brave for me over the concluding stages when I needed him to dig in deep.” Waterhouse and Bott have been among the most active buyers during the sale with no fewer than 36 purchases, including five yearlings that have realised $1 million or more in the ring. On Friday afternoon, the stable teamed up with Jes Sikura, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, William Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) and Kestrel Thoroughbreds to buy Lot 900, the I Am Invincible colt out of Madam Rouge for $1.7 million. |
