Juvenile summary: Shiki and Itchintogo stamp Magic Millions credentials

Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions

Shiki bounces back with dominant Gold Pearl victory

After a below-par performance when well beaten as an odds-on favourite by Warwoven (Sword of State) at Randwick last start, Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}) returned to her scintillating best at the Gold Coast on Saturday, emphatically reviving her R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic credentials with a dominant victory in the $150,000 Gold Pearl.

The Too Darn Hot (GB) filly had announced herself as a serious juvenile with a G3 Gimcrack Stakes win on debut, but was unable to finish off at her second start after setting a ferocious tempo on the speed. That effort saw her weaken badly late, finishing a well-beaten fourth.

On Saturday, however, it was a far more measured and controlled performance. Ridden with patience by Tim Clark, Shiki settled just behind the leading group before being allowed to quicken approaching the home turn. Once balanced, she displayed her trademark acceleration, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides and going on to score comfortably by 2 lengths.

Double Cool (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) again ran an honest second, while Tigroni (Tiger of Malay), from the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable, did her best work late to finish third.

“She was great today - it’s really what we wanted to see,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said. “She’ll take a lot of confidence out of that going into the grand final. She was obviously very good in her first preparation, and then first-up she did a few things wrong. You’ve seen how naturally fast she is and we just wanted to harness that today.

“I was really pleased - fortunately it was the right set-up. We had good speed in the race and that allowed us to ride her the way we wanted to. Hopefully that helps her step up to a high-pressure race now and do everything right.”

Bott added that the race was an important educational step as Shiki prepares to stretch out to 1200 metres next week.

“She’s very sharp and has excellent acceleration, but she may not be able to sustain that if she’s exposed for too long. Being cuddled early and put in the right spot was key. Stretching out to 1200 metres next week, we wanted to teach her the right way to go about it.”

Following her impressive return to form Shiki has firmed into second favourite at $6 with TAB for next Saturday’s Classic.

Sales: Shiki was purchased for $420,000 from the draft of Riverstone Lodge by Kurrinda Bloodstock and the Waterhouse-Bott team at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She was bred by Cornerstone Stud and Millar Racing.

Pedigree: Shiki (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is the fourth and best foal from Jest Excel (Exceed and Excel), a three-time Queensland provincial winner and a half-sister to G2 Maribyrnong Plate winner Jiang (Testa Rossa).

Jest Excel has a yearling filly by Ole Kirk, who will be offered as Lot 405 in Riverstone Lodge's Gold Coast draft next week, and was covered last December by Artorius.

Itchintogo primed for Magic Millions tilt

Listed Phelan Ready Stakes victor Itchintogo (Sun City) delivered a far more polished and professional performance to claim the $150,000 Gold Nugget at the Gold Coast on Saturday, stamping himself as a genuine contender just one week out from the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Trainer Tony Gollan was full of praise for the colt’s marked improvement, buoyed by the way the son of Sun City has progressed across his three career starts.

Itchintogo sprung the gates and was quickly into stride under Ryan Maloney, crossing to the rail to dictate terms at a comfortable tempo. When asked to extend turning for home, the colt responded decisively, quickly opening up a commanding margin and powering away to score effortlessly by over four and a half lengths.

“It’s always a bit nerve-racking with these young ones when they’re that short,” Gollan said. “He did a bit wrong in his last win and also in his jump-out in between, but I’ve been really happy with him over the last 10 days - the way he’s carried himself. He paraded sensationally.

“Obviously he had a class edge on these, so it was no surprise to see him win, but I just loved the way he executed the race today. That’s the best he’s been for me in his three starts and it all bodes well for the seven-day back-up.”

Gollan noted that maturity has been the key factor in the colt’s development, with physical improvement now translating to raceday execution.

“He’s grown and lengthened this prep, his muscle tone is great and his health is great,” he said. “He didn’t execute at his first two starts, he did a bit too much, but now he gives himself a really good chance to be competitive in a $3 million race in a week’s time.”

Following the dominant victory, Itchintogo has been installed as an $11 chance with TAB for next Saturday’s Classic.

Sales: Itchintogo was purchased for $60,000 by Glenhuntly Lodge from the draft of Lucas Bloodstock at the 2025 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.

Pedigree: Itchintogo is by Sun City, who stood at Telemon Thoroughbreds this season for $8800 (inc GST). He is the second winner and first stakes winner from Itchintowin (Nothing To Lose {USA}), and hails from a deep New Zealand family that includes Group 1 winners Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Provence (NZ) (Savabeel).

Juvenile quinella for King’s Legacy at Wyong

Many expected King’s Legacy to sire the winner of the opening 2-year-old event at Wyong on Saturday, however few predicted it would be the rank outsider Audit (King’s Legacy) who would prevail, edging out odds-on favourite Royal Exile (King's Legacy) by a half-head on the line to deliver the young sire a quinella in the opener.

The result saw King’s Legacy draw level with Bivouac atop the second-season sires’ premiership by winners, a timely boost for the Coolmore stallion who has just one lot represented at the upcoming Magic Millions sale.

Andrew Adkins produced a patient, well-judged ride aboard Audit, allowing the colt to settle at the tail of the small field while Royal Exile enjoyed a favourable run outside the leader. Turning for home, Royal Exile quickened strongly and looked to have the race in his keeping before rolling in under pressure, opening the door for Audit to unleash a late surge down the outside.

Despite still showing signs of inexperience, Audit finished with determination to reel in the favourite right on the post, rewarding his connections with a debut victory.

Audit had been given three trials leading into his first race start, and while that foundation proved valuable, Adkins believes the colt will take plenty of benefit from the raceday experience.

“Although they went a steady tempo, it assisted him as he was able to stay on the back of them and travel within his comfort zone,” Adkins said. “He still has a few things to iron out - he’s doing a bit wrong. As you saw there, he went to win by a length and only won by half a head. He was presented in terrific order by Les and his team and raced that way.”

The narrow victory suggested there is upside still to come as Audit learns his craft, particularly given the greenness he displayed under pressure in the closing stages.

Sales: Audit was sold by Mullaglass Stud for $60,000 at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Banjo Bloodstock.

Pedigree: Audit is the first winner from two runners out of stakes-winning mare Flaunting (Showcasing). Flaunting foaled a filly by Stay Inside in the spring and subsequently visited exciting young stallion Switzerland.

Boy Crush impresses Fernie on debut

Boy Crush (Manhattan Rain) made a highly encouraging start to his career with an impressive debut victory in the $80,000 Magic Millions 2YO Plate at Ascot on Saturday, leaving trainer Luke Fernie confident there is plenty more to come as the colt builds toward the Magic Millions series.

Settling into a perfect one-out, one-back position throughout, Boy Crush travelled comfortably before unleashing a sharp turn of foot in the straight, accelerating clear to score by one and three quarter lengths. The well-supported favourite They’reallsisters (Splintex) worked home solidly late to claim second, but was unable to match the winner’s decisive change of pace.

Fernie couldn’t help but draw comparisons with Boy Crush’s accomplished older brother Man Crush (Manhattan Rain), noting the striking similarities between the two both on and off the track.

Man Crush, owned and managed by Peter Fernie, has enjoyed a long and successful career, amassing more than $900,000 in prizemoney and making his mark in several of Western Australia’s premier sprint features, including the Miss Andretti Stakes and Nicopolis Stakes .

“He has been very good,” Fernie said of Boy Crush. “He had a few behavioural issues early on and we didn’t know whether we should keep him a colt. Credit to everyone at the stables - they got over his neck, taught him some manners, and he’s come to the races today and won really well.

“I don’t really like stepping them out over 1000 metres in a trial when they can come to the races. I feel they can learn a lot more on raceday, and you get a bit of pocket money if things go to plan.”

Fernie added that the likeness to Man Crush extends well beyond appearance.

“Man Crush had his quirks early and this bloke is a spitting image of him. Everything he does is the exact same. The way he races as a 2-year-old reflects how Man Crush did, and his work behind the scenes does that as well.”

With the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic at Pinjarra Park now firmly on the radar in five weeks’ time, Fernie is keen to manage the colt carefully as he progresses through his preparation.

“We’ll just wait and see how his shins are. We don’t need to push him,” he said. “Obviously it would be ideal to get him there, but I don’t want to jump the gun and say he’ll definitely be there. Hopefully he stays in one piece and we can get him back to the races.”

Sales: Boy Crush was purchased for $220,000 by Maureen Daly from the draft of Greenfields Lodge, Capel at the 2025 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Pedigree: Boy Crush is out of Crushed (All Too Hard), making him a full brother to Man Crush (Manhattan Rain). His granddam is Juice (Bertolini), is winner of the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.