Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Race-day recap:
Emma-Lee and David Browne's talented gelding Mcgaw (I Am Immortal) overcome a wide run to show great tenacity when winning the $1 million Vobis Platinum Showdown. Capping off a remarkable story as he was only a $14,000 yearling purchase.
The G3 Pago Pago Stakes was won impressively by the Written Tycoon colt Skyhook, the talented colt broke his maiden in style and at the same time booked himself a spot in the G1 Golden Slipper with a dominant front-running victory.
The G3 Magic Night Stakes was won in slashing fashion by Memo, a well-related daughter of Capitalist. She stormed home down the outside to gain herself a Slipper spot, but will she take up that opportunity?
Grafterburners (Graff) showed his class in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast, he gave the field a big head-start at the top of the straight, but put them away with ease, showing an impressive turn of foot.
There was a major upset in the QTIS 2-Year-Old Handicap at Eagle Farm as the rank-outsider, Financially Famous (Toronado {Ire}) stormed down the outside to win in stylish fashion.
A long legged, $14,000 yearling becomes a $1 million race winner
There were scenes of jubilation from the connections of Mcgaw, as the I Am Immortal gelding got his head in front at the post to claim victory in the $1 million Vobis Platinum Showdown.
It caps off a wonderful story as he has graduated from a $14,000 purchase to taking home a $550,000 winner’s cheque, it was a dream result for his owners.
Things didn’t go all his way early, as Mcgaw was caught wide from his outside barrier. However, jockey Damien Lane made a decisive move, parking him outside the leader, Befuddle (Hanseatic). From there, it was a thrilling dual down the Caulfield straight, with Mcgaw finally getting the better of the filly late. Meanwhile, Godolphin’s well-bred colt, Chergui (Frosted {USA}), charged home to run third.
Mcgaw first made an impression when winning on debut at Pakenham on 30 January, storming home to score comfortably by 3.5l over Cloisters (Frosted {USA}).
As a result of that win, he had been the subject of significant interest from Hong Kong, but his ownership group stood firm, and their decision paid off in spectacular fashion.
Following the race, co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne struggled to put the moment into words;
“That was highly exciting, I’m a bit lost for words really. We bought this horse and just thought hopefully he would win a race. Obviously, when he won his first race, he had already won back his purchase price, and we have the best crew of owners.
“That was highly exciting, I’m a bit lost for words really. We bought this horse and just thought hopefully he would win a race.” - Emma-Lee Browne
“They are all friends, they have been big supporters of us, they have social times with us and are an amazing group, and just to get this result is massive.”
Browne also recalled the moment they decided to buy Mcgaw:
“I liked his long legs, I liked him. I bought him, and David tried to take the mickey out of me, saying, ‘You know he’s got a wonky leg?’ I said, ‘He has not.’
“I loved him, and obviously, we went around and looked at him. He’s such an amazing horse because he’s a bit of a dork—he’s got those big ears, he wanders around, he eats all his food, he tries to stand on his own feet—and then he gets out there and does this. Amazing.”
“He’s (Mcgaw) such an amazing horse because he’s a bit of a dork—he’s got those big ears, he wanders around, he eats all his food, he tries to stand on his own feet—and then he gets out there and does this. Amazing.” - Emma-Lee Browne
Browne reflected on what this success means for the stable:
“It really is a land of opportunity when you buy one for 14 ($14,000) and win a race like that. We are incredibly proud of the horse, proud of Damien—thanks for staying in Melbourne.”
As for McGaw’s potential as a 3-year-old, Browne is hopeful:
“Hopefully we are here in the spring. I love the spring in Melbourne, and we love being part of it, so hopefully he is there.”
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Mcgaw comes from a very solid family, he is the fifth live foal from the Listed-winning Niki Piki Milo (NZ) (Librettist {USA}), she has also left the winners Green Hero (Rubick) and I Am Piki (I Am Immortal).
Other stakes-performers included within this family are Navigator (NZ) (El Roca), Bella Gioia (NZ) (Swiss Ace), Bella Mente (NZ) (El Roca), The Dom (NZ) (Swiss Ace), Contessa Vanessa (NZ) (Bullbars), and Shuffle Dancer (I Am Invincible).
Niki Piki Milo since producing Mcgaw, has left an I Am Immortal yearling filly, a Supido filly foal and was served again by I Am Immortal last spring.
Skyhook dominant in the Pago Pago
The talented Written Tycoon colt Skyhook left nothing to chance, dominating from start to finish with an arrogant victory in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
A win was crucial for Skyhook to cement his place in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes field, and he delivered in style. He defeated his stablemate Good Hotspur (Calyx {GB}) by a dominant 3.24l, with State Visit (Wootton Bassett {GB}) making impressive ground out wide to finish third. Meanwhile, United States (Snitzel) weaved along the inside to claim fourth.
Heading into the Pago Pago, Skyhook was still a maiden, but he was a deserving favourite based on his strong form. He had finished third on debut behind Shaggy (Sandbar) on February 15, before running a brilliant second to the highly talented Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the G2 Skyline Stakes at Randwick on March 1.
Co-trainer Sterling Alexiou reflected on the performance, saying:
“I probably didn’t expect him to lead, but Kerrin thought he was on the best horse and decided to ride him accordingly.
“He got out in front and relaxed well, found a nice rhythm, and he’s got a really nice turn of foot. When Kerrin asked, he produced it and put a margin on the rest of them.”
“He (Skyhook) got out in front and relaxed well, found a nice rhythm, and he’s got a really nice turn of foot.” - Sterling Alexiou
As for whether Skyhook will handle a seven-day back-up into the Golden Slipper, Alexiou remained optimistic:
“I think we will get through today, it’s been a hot, humid day. But we’ll give him every chance to line up next Saturday.”
Skyhook also holds significant stallion appeal, obviously he is a cracking type judging by him being a $575,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase. He is now a Group 3 winner and Group 2-placed juvenile and he boasts an impressive pedigree.
He is the second foal from Madame Pauline (Redoute’s Choice), a two-time winner and a three-quarter-sister to G3 San Domenico Stakes winner Anders, a speed machine now standing at Widden Stud. Ostraka (Snitzel) is another three-quarter-sibling, and he was a Listed winner in the Queensland Day Stakes.
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Since producing Skyhook, Madame Pauline foaled a colt by Dundeel (NZ) last spring and was subsequently served by Maurice (Jpn).
Memo charges home to collect the Magic Night
It was a day for the maidens chasing a G1 Golden Slipper berth, as Memo (Capitalist) followed in the footsteps of Skyhook (Written Tycoon), and secured a well-earned victory in the G3 Magic Night Stakes.
Needing a win to propel herself into the Slipper field, the Peter Snowden-trained filly delivered in style, charging home from well back to score impressively by 1.5l.
She defeated two fellow maiden fillies, Dreamside (Trapeze Artist) who ran a strong second to cap off a great day for trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, and Alabama Magic (Alabama Express), who picked up valuable black-type in third. However, a seven-day back-up into the Golden Slipper may be unlikely.
When asked if Memo would take her place, trainer Peter Snowden suggested:
“Probably not. I think she’s had quite a long preparation, and something like the Percy Sykes might suit her better.”
“I need to talk to the owners about it. The old cliché—never make a decision straight after a race—is probably the right one here today. In my mind, it’s unlikely. It’s been a very hot day, and trying to back up a filly with a long prep might be a bridge too far.”
Gallery: Images courtesy of The Image Is Everything
As for whether Memo’s preparation could be stretched towards the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes, Snowden was optimistic:
“I think so. We’ve got a few weeks to get there, and three or four days in the paddock will do her the world of good before bringing her back in.”
“She’s holding good condition, she’s very fit—but she’s also a damn good filly. I’m really glad she won for the owners today because it’s been frustrating. When you keep running seconds, you start wondering if they’ll ever get there, but she deserved it today.”
“She’s (Memo) holding good condition, she’s very fit—but she’s also a damn good filly. When you keep running seconds, you start wondering if they’ll ever get there, but she deserved it today.” - Peter Snowden
Memo brought outstanding form into the race, aside from an eighth-place finish in the G2 Sweet Embrace Stakes last start. She had already placed in the G3 Gimcrack Stakes, R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic, and the R. Listed Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
A $350,000 purchase by Snowden Racing Pty Ltd from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Memo is by Capitalist and is the second foal out of Notation (Fastnet Rock). Notation was a five-time winner on the track and classy enough to place in the G3 Tibbie Stakes.
Memo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Her pedigree continues to strengthen, with Notation producing a yearling colt by Stay Inside, who was snapped up by Yulong Investments for $380,000 at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. She was also served again by Capitalist last November.
Grafterburners Powers Home in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel
Class rose to the top as the Kelly Schweida-trained Grafterburners (Graff) unleashed a booming run down the outside to claim victory in the $500,000 QTIS Jewel for juveniles.
Jockey Cejay Graham was forced to ride a patient race from a challenging barrier 16 on the tight-turning Park Gold Coast track, but it didn’t matter.
When it counted, Grafterburners stormed home to score an emphatic win by 1l over Pink Vixen (Brave Smash {Jpn}), and Betterlucknexttime (Zousain), with Thee Creek (Better Than Ready) battling on well for fourth.
The race pattern was interesting, it was a mad dash for cash early on, with Boomshanka (Spirit Of Boom) leading, while Thee Creek sat outside the pace. The entire race dynamic shifted when Egyptian Goddess (Brave Smash {Jpn}) charged to the lead, setting a frantic tempo—the perfect setup for the backmarkers to strike.
And that’s exactly what Grafterburners did. On paper, he looked the best horse in the field, and he delivered.
He had already won at Ipswich and placed at Eagle Farm behind the highly-rated Space Rider (Zoustar), in his previous start, finished a fast-finishing fourth in the $2 million R. Inglis Millennium, beaten just 1.71l by Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}), both were subsequent Group winners out of that race and are genuine Golden Slipper contenders next week.
Grafterburners as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
That day, he ran on from near last at the turn, flashing home with powerful closing speed. His class was well and truly exposed.
Grafterburners has become a headline horse for the first crop of his sire, Graff, a dual Group-winning son of Star Witness that stands at Kitchwin Hills.
Graff | Standing at Kitchwin Hills
He hails from a speed-packed family, with his dam, Coralina (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), being an unraced half-sister to the Golden Slipper winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel). Other top-class sprinters in the pedigree include Lofty Strike, Standout (Exceed And Excel), Consular (Royal Academy {USA}), and Reward For Effort.
With pedigree, performance, and now a lucrative win, Grafterburners is shaping up as an exciting prospect for the future.
Financially Famous gets all of the cash on debut
For what it lacked in numbers, the juvenile six-horse field at Eagle Farm more than made up for in action, as the Louise White-trained Financially Famous (Toronado {Ire}) stormed home from last to score an impressive victory on debut.
Sent out as the rank outsider after having one education trial, she defied expectations, producing a powerful late surge out wide to claim the win.
The race began at a scorching pace, with Before Anyone Else (Better Than Ready) burning to the lead and setting a strong tempo. Impervious (Farnan), the warm favourite was caught three wide coming into the straight, but stuck gamely to her task, finishing second, 1.85l behind the winner.
Meanwhile, Financially Famous settled quietly at the rear before jockey Jaden Lloyd produced a peach of a ride. He stole inside runs before peeling her out in the straight, where she let down beautifully to win with ease.
Financially Famous is bred to be smart. She is out of the two-time-winning I Am Invincible mare Queen Of The Air, who also placed fourth in the Listed Wellesley Stakes. More notably, she is a three-quarter-sister to the super filly Oohood (I Am Invincible), a G1 Flight Stakes winner who also placed at Group 1 level three times as a juvenile.
She hails from an outstanding family that includes stallions Not A Single Doubt, Snippets, King’s Legacy, and Zizou.
Financially Famous as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
A value purchase at just $40,000, she was secured by Louise White from the Lucas Bloodstock draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a price that now looks like a steal.
