| Highness will be out to emulate champion colt Capitalist after his pulsating come from behind win in today’s Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m). |
| No sooner was the warm favourite Spywire being hailed the winner after pulling clear of second pick Toque, Tommy Berry and Highness started a relentless surge from third place on the corner. So strong was the finish from Highness that he not only reeled in the leader but he pulled almost three quarters of a length clear on the line. Berry, who knows what it takes to win feature juvenile races, was impressed with the performance of Highness. “He’s a real laid back character,” Berry said. “From the top of the straight (I was confident).” “I pulled the whip through to my right and gave him a smack and he just lowered his head and took off.” “I always felt like I was going to get him, it was just a matter of when.” “The Gold Coast straight will suit him a lot better. The Magic Millions is going to be awesome.” Berry predicted more improvement from the colt, who at his only other start ran a close up sixth in the Breeders’ Plate. “He’s still a baby. He is still a bit underdone and there’s a fair bit of improvement there.” “That will switch him on a bit. He was a bit laid back today. I was a bit worried going to the gates about how relaxed he actually was.” “He’s going to have to be a bit more switched on at the Magic Millions in Queensland. There will be a bigger field and better tempo.” Highness, who is prepared by Michael Freedman, carries the familiar colours of leading bloodstock agent James Harron who cheered home Capitalist in the Wyong 2YO Classic in 2015. Capitalist went on to the win the Magic Millions 2YO Classic weeks later and then famously won the Golden Slipper in 2016. Harron purchased Highness for $900,000 for his Colts Partnership at this year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Segenhoe Stud draft. A son of former Wyong 2YO Classic winner Snitzel, he is from an unraced Northern Meteor half sister to former Australia Horse of the Year and Magic Millions graduate Dissident. Meanwhile, proven Group One winner Royal Merchant bounced back to the winning stall in style with victory in the $150,000 Magic Millions Wyong 3YO & 4YO Stakes (1200m) a little earlier in the afternoon. Sent out a short price favourite with bookmakers, Royal Merchant sat just off the leader for much of the race before striking the front at the top of the straight. She was strong to the line under Jason Collett, holding out a fast finishing Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained stablemate Semana to win by a long neck. Royal Merchant, a winner of this year’s Group One Goodwood Handicap at Morphettville in May, was a $160,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021 for the stable from the Edinburgh Park draft. She has already earned over $725,000. The win of Royal Merchant was celebrated by the team from Amarina Farm who will present a half sister by Graff as Lot 168 at January’s 2024 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The build up to the $14.25 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday will continue over the coming weeks across the country, in particular in Brisbane with their Road to Magic Millions month of action. |
