By Adam Corndorf
Well, it was a great Magic Millions Raceday on the Gold Coast, fantastic competition with the kind of standout performances that racing restricted to sale graduates might be expected to show.
The track dried up very quickly after some heavy rain during the week and the times were fast with a new track record set in the Magic Millions Sprint. Low draws in the big fields were a big advantage, and seven of the nine winners came from single-figure gates, not surprising due to the tightness of the track, including the very impressive Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Capitalist. However, the Magic Millions Plate winner Buffering took his career earnings beyond $A6 million with an equally impressive effort from gate 10.
There was a great crowd, with plenty of betting, and partying that continued at the lively evening session of what's been a very buoyant Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. We spent the day in a very nice marquee towards the end of the grandstand with amazing fashions and food. I also saw something I've never seen before: the first race, a $A250,000 maiden was held up for several minutes as a shoe was replaced on the eventual winner while the other horses stood somewhat patiently in the gate. Quite extraordinary!
Johnny Velazquez didn't fare well with his three horses, but he really enjoyed the experience, and the whole week, as I have.
This trip has been fun for me, Anita and our children, and my experience of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale has given me new opportunities and options to talk about with my owners. Everyone we've met has been welcoming and we've very much appreciated the wonderful hospitality of Magic Millions and John & Kris Messara and their team at Arrowfield Stud. I'm especially grateful to Susan Archer, who edited my blog as well as hosting buyers and guests at Arrowfield's busy sale marquee.
Animal Kingdom's first yearlings inspire the same kind of confidence in his prospects as a stallion that he inspired as a racehorse. I look forward to following their progress and seeing some of his U.S.-bred progeny in my barn.
As we begin the long journey home, I'm thinking about the year ahead, especially with our newly turned 3-year-olds including the Wertheimers' Rafting and Team Valor's Kasseopia, both of whom are exciting prospects. There's nothing like the promise of a new season and I'm excited to see how it unfolds.
See TDN Europe/International for more Magic Millions coverage by Kelsey Riley.
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