| Million-dollar filly Too Darn Lizzie delivered connections, including legendary theatre figure Lord Lloyd Webber, an immediate payday with an all-the-way win in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut Fillies (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday. |
| The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained two-year-old was sent out the odds-on favourite after an impressive trial win at Warwick Farm last month and was ridden to lead the field of nine by jockey Tim Clark. While she was collared by Froebel Star at the top of the straight, Too Darn Lizzie responded to the pressure and quickly found several lengths on her rivals over the final 200m of the race. Froebel Star, a filly by Zousain, held on to run second, while Too Darn Lizzie’s stablemate Dominetta, by Zoustar, railed well to finish third. By Darley shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot out of Stakes-winning juvenile Enbihaar, Too Darn Lizzie was purchased by the stable, as well as McKeever Bloodstock and Watership Down, for $1 million at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Bott said the filly has been a professional during her early education and first racing campaign. Lord Lloyd Webber raced Group 1 winner Too Darn Hot in Europe and Bott said he was keen to support the stallion’s progeny at sales in Australia. “You’re always a little bit nervous about them getting to the track for the first time but her quality showed through there late because she was challenged, the pressure was put on her at the top of the straight and I loved the way she responded through to the line,” Bott said. “She’s a tough filly with plenty of class, no doubt. “She only had the one trial and we saw plenty of natural brilliance about her there where she showed good, sustained speed. “I think there is a lot of upside off the back of today and the trip away will do her the world of good. “With a filly like her we’d love to add some black type. “He (Lord Lloyd Webber) raced the stallion Too Darn Hot who was a phenomenal racehorse in Europe and he’s already making a big impact here in Australia. “He wanted to come down to support the stallion and he did so in a big way, paying a million dollars for her.” Clark said Too Darn Lizzie has all the hallmarks of an elite juvenile. “She’s done a good job coming here off the one trial,” Clarke said. “Gai generally likes to give them a couple of trials to make sure they go to the races and do everything right but she’s been a pretty straightforward filly from the get go. “It’s unfortunate that the timing wasn’t right for her to get the Magic Millions 2YO Classic but this is a good consolation.” Too Darn Lizzie’s half-brother by I Am Invincible (Lot 632) sold for $700,000 at this week’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge and Mick Price Racing. 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. |
