Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
Run since 2012, the race has been evenly spread with five winners being male and five being female. However, in this year’s edition fillies make up 10 of the 13 runners, while the most represented sire is Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom with three.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Cusack (Not A Single Doubt) landed last year’s renewal and they will attempt to win back-to-back runnings of the $250,000 contest when they saddle two prospects on Saturday.
No. 1 - Gitalong
Zoustar x Khulaasa (Epaulette), colt
Trainers: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Owners: R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd, Exset Racing, Mr R Smith, B & C Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Mr D V Russo, G M C Livestock, A R E Investments and Mr P C Orton
Jockey: Ben Melham
Barrier: 6
Breeder: Shadwell Stud
Sale information: Bought by Paul Willetts Bloodstock for $200,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale, before being purchased by his trainers for $425,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Vinery Stud draft the following year.
Gitalong as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Trained by Team Hawkes, Gitalong is one of the more experienced runners in this year’s race having already had two starts, including most recently in the Golden Gift, where he finished fifth.
A son of Widden Stud’s resident superstar stallion Zoustar, the 2-year-old is the first foal out of G3 Thoroughbred Breeders' S. winner Khulaasa, who was purchased at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Broodmare Sale for $1.35 million when offered as part of the Shadwell Dispersal in 2021. The colt was offered at the same edition of the breeding stock sale and was snapped up by his trainers for $425,000.
Khulaasa herself is out of dual-Listed winner Taameer (NZ) (General Nediym), who is also the dam of fellow stakes winner Bulbula (Shamardal {USA}) and she is in turn the dam of two-time Group 3 winner Aryaaf (Epaulette).
No. 2 - Sandual
Santos x Dualist (Choisir), colt
Trainer: Andrew Bobbin
Owners: Grampians Racing, Domrohie Pastures, K Tate, R L Cox, W P Grahame, S Chapman, D Holmes, N Clarke, T Winn, Mrs D J Shea, D Foxwell, Ms K Neville, Ms M J Stewart, J Riddle, Steelies Racing and Born To Run
Jockey: Harry Coffey
Barrier: 10
Breeder: Aquis Farm
Sale information: The colt was purchased first by Hardway Bloodstock for $20,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale from the Erinvale Thoroughbreds draft, before being reoffered the following year at the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale and sold to his trainer for $45,000.
Sandual as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
When Sandual lines up in the $250,000 race he will be attempting to become the first winner for his Aquis Farm-based sire, Santos and he comes into the contest after being narrowly denied a maiden victory at Murray Bridge on October 14.
The colt is out of the unraced Choisir mare Dualist and she is herself a half-sister to Listed winner and multiple Group 1-placed mare Fundamentalist (Not A Single Doubt).
No. 3 - Sunsource
Zoustar x Patricia Dawn (Sebring), colt
Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young
Owners: A Kheir, J A O'Neill, V Kheir, D Edmonds, S A Lewin, B D Nettlefold, G J Skien, R M Anderson, D Rogers, Mrs K Rogers, Carty Racing (Mgr: B C Carty), J A K Racing (Mgr: J S Rogers), Monaco Racing (Mgr: M Hudson), A K Racing (Mgr: Ms K L Solomon) and Busuttin Racing (Mgr: T L Busuttin)
Jockey: Daniel Moor
Barrier: 3
Breeder: Mr R Anderson
Sale information: The colt was snapped up by his trainers and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $370,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft.
Sunsource as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
In-form trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will be attempting to win back-to-back runnings of the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic, having landed it 12 months ago with Cusack and they will be represented by two runners in this year’s contest.
This colt is out of the winning, Group 3-placed Sebring mare Patricia Dawn, making him a brother to Dawn Of An Era, who has won three times in Japan.
Patricia Dawn herself is a daughter of Listed winner Summer Girlfriend (USA) (Forest Camp {USA}), who was brought to Australia after being purchased by Vin Cox Bloodstock at the 2007 Keeneland November Breeding Sale for US$180,000 (AU$268,800).
Summer Girlfriend herself is a half-sister to stakes-winning duo Demand Deposit (USA) (Deposit Ticket {USA}) and Confiding Winner (USA) (Confide {USA}).
No. 4 - Amantine
Written By x Etoile Fille (NZ) (No Excuse Needed {GB}), filly
Trainer: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young
Owners: Ms N J Young, Mrs T M Mackinnon, Ms L M Slender, Mrs D W Dormer, Ms W Patton, Ms K M Lewis, Ms A L Taylor, Ms D V Pope, Mrs W M Yesberg, Mrs R Rowhead and Mrs K E Palma
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Barrier: 12
Breeder: Manx Park
Sale information: Purchased by her trainers for $50,000 from the draft of her breeders at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.
Amantine as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Amantine is a daughter of Widden Stud’s first-season sire Written By and she will be attempting to become the stallion’s first winner, but she will have to produce a better performance than her debut when she finished last of nine runners in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on Melbourne Cup Day.
The 2-year-old filly is out of the winning No Excuse Needed (GB) mare Etoile Fille (NZ) who has produced five winners headed by Group 3-placed Stop Making Sense (Sebring).
Etoile Fille herself is a daughter of dual-Group 3 winner Starcent (NZ) (Centaine), the dam of G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas runner-up Ambitious (NZ) (Last Tycoon {Ire}), who in turn produced Group 3 winner Strike The Stars (NZ) (Savabeel) and Ampin (NZ) - the dam of Group 1 winner Savy Yong Blonk (NZ) (Savabeel) and Group 2 winner Adelaide Ace (NZ) (Savabeel).
Starcent is also the dam of Make A Wish (NZ) (Pins), the dam of Group 2 scorer Another Dollar (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) and I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who enjoyed a lucrative spring, taking out the Listed Testa Rossa S. and the $10 million Golden Eagle.
No. 5 - Amelie
Spirit Of Boom x Balabina (Red Dazzler), filly
Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy
Owners: My Racehorse No. 1 (Mgr: R J Dauth), Peake Racing (Mgr: P N Edwards), 2 Brothers Racing (Mgr: C D Edmunds), P G Robinson, C H Boully, B C Miller, P A O'Dea, S D Postlethwaite, P Senior, W Stearman, Mrs F K Clancy, P M Clancy and M Twycross
Jockey: Declan Bates
Barrier: 2
Breeder: Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds
Sale information: Snapped by her trainers and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $200,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of her breeders.
Amelie as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The daughter of Eureka’s headline stallion, Spirit Of Boom, Amelie is out of dual-winning Red Dazzler mare Balabina.
Balabina herself is half-sister to Listed winner Firenza (Kenny’s Best Pal), the dam of Group 3 winner Tuscan Sling (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and stakes-placed Arrival (Choisir), the dam of dual-stakes winner Assertive Approach (Akeed Mofeed {GB}).
Balabina’s other half-sister is top-producer Beauty World (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dam of Group 3 winners Hi World (High Chaparral {Ire}), Written Beauty (Written Tycoon) and Lite'n In My Veins (Henrythenavigator {USA}) and Listed-winning duo Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) and Ducimus (Snitzel), the latter having taken out the Listed Talindert S.
No. 6 - Capulet
Extreme Choice x Involving (Sebring), filly
Trainer: Tony and Calvin McEvoy
Owners: My Racehorse No. 1 (Mgr: R J Dauth), Sands Racing (Mgr: L Signore), M Lonardo, D R Fleming, M J Davidson, O K Chan, S A Cadzow, P J Beretta and P G Woods
Jockey: Dean Holland
Barrier: 5
Breeder: Mr J D Brown
Sale information: The filly was bought by Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Weanling Sale in 2021 and she then made $280,000 when selling to her trainers, owners Myracehorse and Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.
Capulet as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Last seen finding the G3 Ottawa S. on November 3 too hot, Capulet is one of two runners for the McEvoy stable, who will be hoping the filly can give a better account of herself on Saturday.
The 2-year-old filly is from the winning Sebring mare Involving and she is a daughter of two-time winning Encosta De Lago mare Involve.
Involve herself is a half-sister to Listed winner British Lion (Celtic Swing {GB}), the dam of fellow stakes winner British General (General Nediym).
No. 7 - Dubenenko
Russian Revolution x Happy Event (Dream Ahead {USA}), filly
Trainer: Chris Bieg
Owners: R J Savage, Mrs C M Savage, S Van Hees and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds (Mgr: T A Lillie)
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Barrier: 7
Breeder: Willow Park Stud
Sale information: The filly was bought by her trainer and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale in 2022.
Dubenenko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The daughter of Russian Revolution is out of the three-time-winning mare Happy Event (Dream Ahead {USA}), who has had one foal to race from two runners.
Dubenenko’s second dam is the Group 3 winner Besame Mucho (Encosta De Lago) and she also produced Listed scorers Frespanol (Choisir) and Essington (Redoute’s Choice).
Besame Mucho herself is sister of G3 Vanity S. winner Gold Lottey and she in turn produced Listed winner Iconoclasm (Toorak Toff). Having finished fourth at Murray Bridge on debut, the filly was last seen running a sound sixth in the G3 Ottawa S. at Flemington on November 3.
No. 8 - La Petite Angele
Harry Angel (Ire) x Tiny Taj (Sepoy), filly
Trainer: Cliff Brown
Owners: Imperial Racing Stable (Mgr: M Harding)
Jockey: Matthew Cartwright
Barrier: 1
Breeder: B2B Thoroughbreds
Sale information: Snapped up by P Roach for $30,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale in 2021, the filly was then purchased by her trainer for $130,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
La Petite Angele as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
La Petite Angele will become the third starter in Australia for her Darley shuttle sire Harry Angel (Ire), who has already tasted stakes success in the country when his first runner, Arkansaw Kid, made an impressive debut to land the R. Listed Inglis Banner.
The filly is out of three-time winner Tiny Taj (Sepoy), who is herself a daughter of SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink (Distorted Humor {USA}), the dam of G2 QTC Cup winner Galah, Group 1-placed Pygmy (New Approach {Ire}) and Group 3-placed Miniature (Exceed And Excel).
No. 9 - Malaboom
Spirit Of Boom x Malasun (Red Ransom {USA}), filly
Trainer: Matthew Dale
Owners: Kurrinda Bloodstock (Mgr: S M Driver), Mrs A E Dale, J E Mason, J McConville, Ms C Bedford, R De Lepervanche, C J Lloyd, L H Martin, D J Wicks, M Morrison, B R Roweth, T Howard, G A Godson, J Croese, Mrs M Clark, SGC Racing (Mgr: G J Meale), A Watson & B Yeo
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 13
Breeder: Mr J P Wagstaff
Sale information: Bought by Kurrinda Bloodstock for $80,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Eureka Stud draft.
Malaboom as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Malaboom is out of the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) winner Malasun (Red Ransom {USA}), who was purchased by Harry McAlpine for $170,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling and Bloodstock Sale in 2019.
The daughter of Red Ransom (USA) has produced four winners, headed by stakes-placed Hard To Say (Exceed And Excel).
Malasun herself is a half-sister to G2 Autumn Classic winner Stokehouse (Anabaa {USA}) and stakes placegetter Hostwin Epanoui (More Than Ready {USA}).
No. 10 - Pure Paradise
Capitalist x Impetuous (Fastnet Rock), filly
Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell
Owners: Trilogy (Mgr: Mrs M Stenning), Ridgeport (Mgr: E S Guagliardo), D Rogers and Mrs K Rogers
Jockey: Zac Spain
Barrier: 4
Breeder: Mrs B Bateman
Sale information: The filly was purchased by her trainer and Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) for $260,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm.
Pure Paradise as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly comes into the race off the back of a solid second behind King’s Gambit (I Am Invincible) in the Listed Debutant S. on October 8 and she is out of the Listed Mona Lisa S. winner Impetuous (Fastnet Rock), who has produced three winners to date.
Pure Paradise’s second dam is the stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Rash Promise, and she is herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Demerger (Saithor {USA}).
Lloyd Kennewell will be looking for a second win in the race having saddled La Pomme De Pin (I Am Invincible) to victory in 2017 when it was known as the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Clockwise Classic.
No. 11 - Sassy Boom
Spirit Of Boom x Harbour Fun (Harbour Watch {Ire}), filly
Trainer: Danny O’Brien
Owners: Mrs J O'Brien, Mrs P Anderson, Mrs J A Helme, Mrs S Kanga, Mrs A J Barwick, Miss B B Hitt, Mrs H M Hitt, Mrs S T Hitt, Mrs S Sutherland, Mrs J A Quinn, Mrs W Ainsworth, Mrs C Field, Ms S Nicholes, Mrs S O'Donohue and Mrs D Loupasakis
Jockey: John Allen
Barrier: 9
Breeder: Emirates Park
Sale information: Snapped up by Danny O’Brien for $155,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of her breeders, Emirates Park.
Sassy Boom as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Following her impressive trial at Flemington a few days ago, Sassy Boom is very much the talking horse going into the Saturday’s contest and she is likely to start favourite.
The filly is out of the unraced Harbour Watch (Ire) mare Harbour Fun, who has produced one winner in the shape of Rhythmboat (Exceed And Excel).
Harbour Fun herself is a half-sister to Listed Ken Russell Classic winner Cat D’Antibes (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Allegra (Dehere {USA}), the dam of stakes-winning duo Hostwin Achilles (Deep Field) and Eximus (Exceed And Excel). She also counts Eye For Fun (Snitzel), the dam of 2014 G1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun (Mossman), amongst her half-siblings.
No. 12 - Seacryption
Encryption x Plumage (Red Dazzler), filly
Trainer: Mitchell Freedman
Owners: M K Moody, Mrs J R Freedman, D M Mcdonough, G W T Harvey, M R Pollard, L W Patzel, M Brown, Ms A Hay, R Howling, K Howling, T S Whitfield, Mrs J L Colbert, G Colbert, A J Burgess, H A Buckland, D G Ross, M Goddard, Mrs J M Goddard, Okami Thoroughbreds (Mgr: S T Robinson) & Maher Road (Mgr: B Norton)
Jockey: Jordan Childs
Barrier: 8
Breeder: Eureka Cambooya Thoroughbreds
Sale information: A $130,000 purchase for her trainer from the Eureka Stud draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.
Seacryption as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The filly is from the first crop of Eureka Stud’s resident stallion Encryption and she will be bidding to become the son of Lonhro’s first winner, having been represented by just two starters.
Seacryption is out of the five-time-winning Red Dazzler mare, Plumage, making her a sister to six-time winner Plumaro, four-time winner Count The Coin and Belleivta, who has won on three occasions.
No. 13 - Tabata Set
Snitzel x Time Check (USA) (Shamardal {USA}), filly
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Owners: Mystery Downs (Mgr: F W Cook), Mrs C M Cook, P L Jelfs, S Griffiths, B D King, Batis Racing (Mgr: D Distefano), J M Simmons & Ms S M Fitzgerald
Jockey: Ethan Brown
Barrier: 11
Breeder: Arrowfield
Sale information: The 2-year-old was purchased by her trainers for $380,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling in 2022 from the Arrowfield Stud draft.
Tabata Set as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Last seen running a fourth in the G3 Ottawa S. on November 3, this daughter of Snitzel will be out to provide her sire with a second win in the event, having sired Sheer Style to win the race in 2013, when it was known as the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Clockwise Classic.
The filly is out of winning Shamardal (USA) mare Time Check (USA) making her a sister to stakes-placed 3-year-old Willinga Beast.
The filly’s second dam is G2 Magic Night S. winner Alizes (NZ) (Rory’s Jester), the grandam of multiple Group 1-winning Alizee (Sepoy) and Group 1 winner Astern, who stands at Darley’s Kelvinside base.
