Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Vendor Rae-Louise Kelly of Fernrigg Farm said she is hoping by late afternoon Saturday, after the running of the big race, the filly out of Belle Que (Street Hero) will look cheap at that price.
“That was a great result for the filly. Hopefully she’ll look cheap this time tomorrow,’’ Kelly said. “She’s gone to a great home and Trent (Busuttin), I think is going to train her as well… hopefully she’s going to aim to be back here again next January.’’
Rae-Louise and Padraig Kelly
Kelly said the filly's pedigree was a bit light on when they bred Cusack but her and partner Padraig’s love for Not A Single Doubt held strong and the mating worked.
“The mare’s done a good job,’’ she commented. “Her 3-year-old (De La Fayette) has placed a couple of times. She’s just had a bit of bad luck for her not to win. She placed second at Pakenham (Thursday) and obviously Cusack is the second foal. I think the mare’s going to do a good job.’’
The filly sold at Lot 792 on Friday had a lot more quality than Cusack did this time last year, said Kelly.
Lot 792 - Not A Single Doubt x Belle Que (filly) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She has an awesome attitude. She was an absolute angel up there when other horses were going mad around her and she just kept her cool.’’
Cusack brings belief
Kelly, who remains involved with the ownership, said it had been a great week and chance to see a different side of Magic Millions this year having the horse in the race. A big run by Cusack would be incredible for the farm, she added.
“To sell Shaquero last year and produce a horse that runs well tomorrow. People are starting to believe in the farm more so now, we get a lot more trainers and agents that wouldn’t have come to inspect our horses in the past coming around,’’ she said.
“To sell Shaquero last year and produce a horse that runs well tomorrow (on Magic Millions Race Day). People are starting to believe in the farm more so now.’’ - Rae-Louise Kelly
“A good result tomorrow will show people that we don’t necessarily chase the big sale ring prices but it means more to us putting a good racehorse on the track.’’
Better than big bro
Tim Wilson from First Light Racing said his team inspected Cusack last year and it was terrific buying from Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young to get him for $200,000.
“He’s already proven what a high-quality colt he is winning the Ballarat Magic Millions. With all due respect to him, I hope tomorrow (Saturday) he’s a Magic Millions winner, we thought this filly had a little more quality than he did 12 months ago,’’ Wilson said.
“He’s (Cusack) already proven what a high-quality colt he is winning the Ballarat Magic Millions. With all due respect to him, I hope tomorrow (Saturday) he’s a Magic Millions winner." - Tim Wilson
“You see the fact that the Street Hero mare Belle Que’s already got a horse in the Magic Millions next year and you see the filly present before you today, she was just a filly we had to have and hopefully we see her at races in 12 months' time.’’
Wilson felt the filly had a great feminine quality about her and was a really athletic filly that would follow the Not A Single Doubt model and develop superbly over the next six months.
“She’s obviously not just a racing prospect, she’s a residual prospect as well. Owners that do get involved with her and with us, effectively they own Cusack tomorrow running in the Magic Millions, but I think the mare’s going to continue to produce quality tomorrow and going forward."
Cusack, winner of the 2021 Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic
Wilson said a top three finish by Cusack would surely double their filly’s value and a win would increase that in multiples again.
“A lot of the mares here at Magic Millions are unproven so you get your opportunity to buy in early,’’ he said. “The reality of it is if Cusack wins a Magic Millions then subsequent foals of this mare are going to be worth north of a million dollars. Hopefully we’re striking into the family at the right time and the mare just keeps doing the job.’’
