The stunning win over Fiery Heights and Dothraki bettered a series of Magic Millions near-misses for Bjorn Baker’s six-year-old who finished third behind Mahuta in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) in 2016, sixth behind Private Secretary in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares (1300m) in 2017 and third behind Viddora in last year’s Magic Millions Snippets (1200m).
Baker, who secured the galloper after she was passed in for $90,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, said the decision to run the daughter of Stratum first-up in Saturday’s race proved the winning move.
“She’s been a stalwart, this is the fourth year she’s been back,” Baker said.
“I think she was a little unlucky in the three-year-old race and it looked like she might have been unlucky today but it was a great ride by Jason.
“There are a lot of ways to skin a cat but I think I finally got it right, fresh is key and it worked out brilliantly today.
“You buy horses at this carnival so you can come back every year and you’re running for a million dollars.”
Jockey Jason Collett, who was aboard Egyptian Symbol in her Group 3 Nivison (1100m) and Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) wins, rated the mare among his favourite rides and said that when races are run to suit, her closing sprint is bettered by few rivals.
“Her first-up stats are great, she really flies fresh,” Collett said.
“When the draws came out we knew where we were going to be and it worked out for the better.
“I’m glad Bjorn and the owners have stuck with me, we’ve had a bit of success and we’ve come close in some bigger races so this is good.”
