Written by Paul Vettise
A pair of debutants have impressively sprinted into contention for next month’s $2 million The Star Magic Millions 2YO Classic following victories for Sancy (I Am Invincible) at Rosehill and Red Stiletto (Sizzling) at Doomben.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Sancy had been unbeaten in trials at Randwick and Gosford and carried that over to race day with a smart win in the Drinkwise Plate and in contrast David Vandyke’s first-timer Red Stiletto had tailed the field home in her trial before claiming the Christmas Gift 2YO.
Sancy sat in behind the leaders and once she angled across heels in the straight and found the line determinedly to beat another first-timer in Centimental (Snitzel), who came from well back, and the well-backed Hinchbeast (Hinchinbrook) led and rallied bravely for third.
“That was a really good win and she’s been a professional from day one to it was good to see her do that again,” said Snowden, who confirmed she would head to Queensland.
Sancy failed to meet her $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Canning Downs so principals John Barnes and Joy Mackay took her home and the filly now races in their colours.
Sancy will head to Queensland to contest the Magic Millions 2YO Classic
She is a daughter of the G3 Bletchingly S. winner Thiamandi (Street Boss {USA}), who is from the family of the G1 Jardine Mile winner Jonny Alone (NZ) (Blue Vermillion {GB}).
“I had a couple for John and Joy early on and have had an association with them since Crown Lodge days. We had Only Words and what a great filly she was,” Snowden said.
“I had a couple for John and Joy early on and have had an association with them since Crown Lodge days.” – Peter Snowden
“They were good enough to give us some horses when we left when Paul and I went out on our own. It’s very pleasing to see them get a filly as good as this and there’s a fair bit of upside to her as well.
“I didn’t think she’d get this far to be honest. She’s kept putting her hand up and working well and doing well in the yard.
“I was going to tip her out after a trial and she won really well and did super afterwards and did the same thing after Gosford.
“She’s still carrying a bit of belly so she can only improve from this.”
Peter Snowden
The successful rider was Tommy Berry, who said Sancy would continue to improve with time.
“I was really keen in her chances after her trial at Gosford. She did everything right and felt like she had plenty more in the tank,
“She didn’t have as much speed here as she did in the trial, but I liked the way she quickened at the top of the straight. She got a bit lost out in front and when the brigade came again behind her she found again.
“She’s probably a prep away from her best and we probably didn’t see her getting this far this quickly. She’s done that on raw ability.”
Filly surprises trainer
Meanwhile, Red Stiletto provided Vandyke with a pleasant surprise with her winning performance at Doomben.
“I expected her to get back, which she did as she’s very lazy. I wasn’t that happy with her trial the other day and she didn’t finish off as I would have liked,” he said.
“If she had got past a couple of runners I’d have been happy so she’s obviously going to Millions now. There’s a stack of improvement to come from her.”
The filly produced an electric finish in the straight to account for Way Beyond (Spill The Beans) and Mass Destruction (Spirit Of Boom).
Red Stiletto was offered by Element Hill at the Gold Coast earlier this year and was purchased for $120,000 by part-owner Anthony McAnulty. She is a daughter of Glorious Red (Red Element). She won five races and her pedigree page features the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Khaptingly (Bletchingly).
