Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sent out a firm favourite following a jaw-dropping trial win at the same venue late last year, Toorak Jewel (Tassort) made good on that promise under the guidance of James McDonald.
Despite being slightly wayward on jumping, the filly quickly mustered, sitting outside the leader, and sustained a strong gallop throughout. When McDonald asked her to lengthen inside the final 300 metres, she exploded clear, opening a decisive break before being eased late to score by almost one and a half lengths.
“She was really good. She showed great speed and ran really good time so it was very impressive,” trainer Paul Shailer said.
The performance was made all the more striking given the depth of opposition she put away, including the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Lady Moscato (Home Affairs), a $1.05 million Magic Millions purchase who chased gamely into second. In contrast, Toorak Jewel was secured for just $36,000 from Book 2 of the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale; a reminder that value, not price tags, still win races.
“Any time you are coming up against Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in a rich 2-year-old race with a $1 million dollar yearling, you can never be too confident, right?” Shailer laughed. “With juveniles, they are just a powerhouse stable. So, to beat them, and to beat them convincingly, was very satisfying and a testament to our filly's ability.”
“To beat them (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott), and to beat them convincingly, was very satisfying and a testament to our filly's ability.” - Paul Shailer
Timing backed up the visuals. Her winning effort stopped the clock at 56.31s for the 1000 metres, just 0.64s shy of a long-standing Gold Coast track record - and that was despite McDonald easing her close to the line.
Crooks’ savvy purchase pays off
Despite being trained by Paul Shailer, it was in fact leviathan and larrikin owner Mike Crooks who purchased Toorak Jewel at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a rare decision that has already paid dividends.
Crooks is best known for his “Mishani” runners, and his strategy that is usually built around breeding his own stock and utilising the QTIS Bonuses on offer, but last year he tried something different, purchasing two yearlings at the sales and entrusting them to Shailer.
Shailer was full of praise for Crooks’ approach, describing him as a quiet achiever with a strong business model.
Mike Crooks | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“Mike Crooks bought the horse and sent it to me. I think it was his biggest win to date,” Shailer said.
“Mike (Crooks) doesn’t spend a lot of money on horses but he is a quiet achiever and is a great bloke.” - Paul Shailer
“Mike doesn’t spend a lot of money on horses but he is a quiet achiever and is a great bloke. He is the ‘Mishani man’ so he has a good business model that he sticks by and he probably stepped out of that last year by buying these two,” Shailer said.
The other purchase, Rarotonga (North Pacific) - a $60,000 yearling - has already won in town, and while he missed out on the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic due to injury, he remains another example of Crooks’ astute eye.
Rarotonga | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
What’s next?
Shailer says the $5 million G1 Golden Slipper Stakes is on the radar, though he’s remaining cautious before committing to a path.
“The Golden Slipper has to be in the discussion, but I don't want to get carried away. We need to talk to some form experts and talk to James McDonald again and see how good he actually thinks she is,” he said.
Paul Shailer | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Shailer outlined two realistic pathways: either a Sydney campaign towards the Slipper, or a local route through the QTIS Jewel series on the Gold Coast.
“She's going to have 10 days in the paddock as of tomorrow and then she either goes the Sydney path towards the Golden Slipper or she can - what could be the more logical path, come back and run in the QTIS Jewel Prelude on the 28th and then run in the QTIS Jewel on her home track two weeks later,” he said.
“Then she could come back after a short break for that $1 million race we won with Isti Star last year, the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic.”
A statement win for Shailer Racing
For trainer Paul Shailer, the win represented another significant step forward for his growing operation. Now based out of the Gold Coast Turf Club’s state of the art training facility, Shailer has quietly built momentum since establishing Shailer Racing and moving to Queensland from Port Macquarie, drawing on more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
A former apprentice jockey in New Zealand, Shailer spent over a decade as a key cog in the wheel at Chris Waller Racing, playing a major role in the rise of one of Australia’s most dominant training stables. His time with Waller included overseeing the Gold Coast operation and working hands-on with elite performers such as Winx (Street Cry {Ire}), The Autumn Sun, Zousain, and Invincibella (I Am Invincible); an education now bearing fruit in his own right.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
With around 60 horses currently in work, Toorak Jewel shapes as a potential flagbearer for the stable.
“The win couldn’t come at a better time for our stable,” Shailer said. “We have just spent $1.7 million at the yearling sales over the week so it is pretty good advertising. Hopefully it generates a bit of business and a few new clients can come on board and buy into some lovely yearlings that we bought.
"We bought six colts and three fillies and I thought we bought them in the sweet spot, at just the right price. They are by good stallions, good types and speed horses and they look like horses we can target at these races again next year.”
“The win couldn’t come at a better time for our stable.” - Paul Shailer
Toorak Jewel winning the Magic Millions The Debut | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
When asked when he knew Toorak Jewel was a genuine talent, Shailer explained her development had been gradual.
“Well she has always been a fast horse but she was pretty wayward early days. It has taken a lot of hard work from the stable and her regular trackwork rider to help settle and harness that energy. But she started doing things right the last six to eight weeks, she has really come on.”
Shailer admitted that the trial win had been expected, but the margin and time caught him by surprise.
“It didn't surprise me she won the trial, but it did surprise me how far she won it by and the time she ran.”
“It didn't surprise me she (Toorak Jewel) won the trial, but it did surprise me how far she won it by and the time she ran.” - Paul Shailer
The stable’s preparation included a key hit-out the week before, designed to mimic race conditions and it clearly paid dividends.
“We took her to Ipswich the week before to simulate a raceday situation and give her a gallop between races. She handled herself really well, so we were confident she was going to handle herself well on the day, which she did, she was lovely and relaxed.”
McDonald was full of praise for her maturity, and Shailer agreed that composure was a major asset.
James McDonald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“When you are a fast horse you want your brain to go slower than your legs - I think that is very important. If your brain is going faster than your legs you are in a bit of trouble. It's a great attribute to have to stay so relaxed and calm and then generate such speed. It bodes really well for her in the future.”
Tassort’s momentum continues
Saturday’s result was also another timely boost for Newgate Farm’s Tassort, who continues to build momentum after an excellent first season.
The son of Brazen Beau made an immediate impact with his first crop, producing Group 1 winner Manaal as well as Group 2 winner Ameena, and while he is yet to produce another black-type performer since, Toorak Jewel looks well capable of adding further lustre to his record.
Early success on the track has also translated into stronger support at stud. In 2024 Tassort covered a quality book of 220 mares, including the dams of winners of the Golden Slipper, G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes, G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, and G1 Memsie Stakes; and simultaneously his fee has also risen sharply from $11,000 to $38,500.
Tassort | Standing at Newgate Farm
“The best may still be to come for Tassort,” Shailer said. “There was a big boom on him early - people were pretty keen to retain a few from his first crop of yearlings and he was the one-time Slipper favourite so he certainly has quality. He's one to look out for in his next few crops.”
“He's (Tassort) one to look out for in his next few crops.” - Paul Shailer
The Toorak Jewel win also followed hot on the heels of another Tassort success story. Just one week earlier, promising 3-year-old Miss Freelove (Tassort) roared away to win the $250,000 Sunlight Consolation for Peter Snowden after being purchased for $110,000 at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Another clear sign that Tassort is a sire on an upward trajectory.
Built on substance, not flash
Bred by Lourdes Park Stud, Toorak Jewel may not have arrived with a catalogue page stacked with immediate black type, but her pedigree carries depth and durability. She is the third foal and first winner for Toorak Rose (Toorak Toff), herself a winner as a 2-year-old, with the family tracing back to G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Forina (Vibrant {GB}) and champion sprinter Schillaci (Salieri {USA}).
The Magic Millions carnival has long been a playground for headline purchases, but Toorak Jewel’s debut served as a timely reminder that stars can still emerge from anywhere. If Saturday’s performance is any guide, this $36,000 filly may yet take her place among the most exciting juveniles of the season.
