This week's sales action on the Gold Coast has certainly reinforced the fact that owners are willing to dig deep into their pockets for a chance at big pots on the racetrack; However, Kennewell Racing, which campaigns yesterday's Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner Deiheros (Aus) (Bon Hoffa {Aus}), had to part with just A$6,500 at the 2013 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for their 'Millions' winner.
The winner of his first two starts at Morphettville in South Australia in a little over a year ago, including the A$100,000 Magic Millions Adelaide Classic, Deiheros checked in third when stepped up to black-type company in the G3 Breeders' S. Mar. 29 and was subsequently put away for the remainder of the Australian autumn and winter. Resurfacing with a win over 1200 meters in benchmark company at Morphettville Aug. 16, the gelding checked in third and second, respectively, when stretched out to 1500 meters and 1600 meters over that surface Aug. 30 and Sept. 13. He was a soundly beaten fourth when shipping to Melbourne for the William Hill Plate Sept. 26, and was second when dropped back to 1100 meters at Morphettville off the layoff Nov. 29. Deiheros got back on the winning track when returning to his apparently favored distance, 1200 meters, Dec. 13, but a dull 10th of 13 off a wide trip in the G3 Vo Rogue Plate over 1300 meters on the Gold Coast didn't exactly fill punters with confidence.
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell added a lugging bit and a tongue tie to his charge's uniform, however, and noted Deiheros galloped well over the track Tuesday. The bay experienced no trouble in running yesterday, enjoying a ground-saving trip under Ric McMahon. Bursting clear at the top of the lane he never looked under threat and won cozily.
“That was a bloody good win today,” said Kennewell. “We've done a lot to turn that horse around in the last two weeks. He hung really bad here–he had good form leading up to it but just didn't take to the track the other day. I'm glad we gave him a run here before today.”
Saturday, Gold Coast, Australia
GC MAGIC MILLIONS GUINEAS (COND), A$1,000,000, GOL, 1-10, 3yo, 7fT, 1:23.15, gd.
1–DEIHEROS (AUS), 126, g, 3, by Bon Hoffa (Aus)
1st Dam: Philippa's Music (Aus), by Integra (Aus)
2nd Dam: Antonia's Music (Aus), by Air de France
3rd Dam: Antolomeo (Aus), by Tolomeo (Ire)
(A$6,500 yrl '13 MMADE). O-L Koumi, Mrs E Koumi,
Ms R Koumi & Z Koumi; B-A Patterson (Aus); T-Lloyd
Kennewell; J-Ric McMahon. A$570,000. Lifetime
Record: GSP-Aus, 11-5-2-2, A$739,497.
2–Testashadow (Aus), 126, g, 3, Testa Rossa (Aus)–
Moonlight Shadow (Aus), by Flying Spur (Aus).
(A$55,000 RNA yrl '13 MMGCYS). O-Elite
Thoroughbreds Racing (Mgr: A Allan), J N Love,
L L James, G J Howitt, D R Cull, W R Nelson,
P Miller, N J Cusick, M O'Keefe, L D Vaughan,
J M Cooke, D G Burgun, Mrs D Smallman,
A K Martin, A C Martin, R Angeloni & M Adamiec;
B-Racetree (Aus); T-Gary Portelli. A$150,000.
3–Echo Gal (Aus), 121, f, 3, Stratum (Aus)–Pink Siris
(Aus), by Encosta de Lago (Aus). (A$145,000 '13
MMGCYS). O-J W L Tan; B-R D Hannon (Aus); T-Gai
Waterhouse. A$75,000.
Margins: 2, SNK. Odds: 25.00, 7.00, 9.00.
Also Ran: Liberty Island (Aus), Murt the Flirt (Aus), Aerobar (Aus), She's Miss Devine (Aus), Bold Circle (Aus), Mywayorthehighway (NZ), Hijack Hussy (Aus), Tales of Fashion (Aus), Stroak (Aus), Fixation (Aus), Yeager (Aus), Cyclone (Aus), Mister Booze (Aus). Scratched: Vienna Royale (Aus), Herstory (Aus), Polynikes (Aus), I Am Zelady (Aus), I Am Impressed (Aus).
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