Godfather, a million dollar purchase at the 2022 Magic Millions Sales in January burst into Magic Millions 2yo classic calculations with an impressive win on debut in the Listed Phelan Ready (1000m) at Eagle Farm while Malaboom took out the Listed Calaway Gal over the same distance to stamp her credentials as an already well-travelled two-year-old.
Malaboom debuted in Ballarat’s version of the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1000m) on November 19 where she finished fifth Sunsource.
Traveling from trainer Matthew Dale’s Goulburn base to Ballarat for that run, and now going further to Brisbane for this $150,000 contest, Malaboom ($11) made the most of barrier two to score narrowly over $2.10 favourite Empress Of Wonder, trained by Annabel Neasham.
Ridden by Ben Thompson, Malaboom bolstered Queensland sire Spirit Of Boom’s stocks towards next month’s Magic Millions feature.”Matt Dale always races his horses in their grade,” Thompson said.
“He wouldn’t travel a horse to Queensland for Ballarat from Goulburn for the sake of it.
“He got is spot on today and she’s a lovely filly.
“She beat what looks to be a really nice group of fillies.”
Putting further merit on the win, second-placed Empress Of Wonder was also placed at Flemington in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on November 3.
Noting that the filly ‘doesn’t mind a look around’, Thompson added that there is more to come when she learns to better focus.
Earlier, Godfather ($1.45 favourite) won Phelan Ready with an impressive performance by 2¼-lengths.
A $1.1 million buy at the last January’s Magic Millions Sales, co-trainer Paul Snowden was relieved that the colt by I Am Invincible delivered after making the trip from their Sydney base.
“The way he went about his business on Tuesday morning and we were confident we’d get the job done, there’s always the concern with travelling this early,” Snowden said.
“He was rolling around a bit under pressure showing his immaturity in this environment but his trial the other day was quite soft and he looked like he had a bit to offer underneath him late.
“He’s going to come on a hell of a lot after today.
“Knowing the horse, he’ll do well when we get him home.”
Ridden by Ryan Maloney, Godfather adds to his tally of two-year-old winners over the past three weeks along with the Tony Gollan-trained stablemates Skirt The Law and Mighty.
Empress Of Wonder and Godfather are rated as an $11 chance for the Magic Millions 2yo Classic on January 14.
Skirt The Law is at $15 while Malaboom is a $26 chance.
