Gimcrack Stakes heroine Coolangatta erased any doubt about running a strong 1200m when keeping her record at a perfect two for two in a furiously run Group III Magic Millions BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Boxing Day.
With James McDonald in the saddle for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the daughter of Written Tycoon settled outside of the leader Extremaarty.
Given her head on straightening, Coolangatta quickly put the race to bed. Under a hand ride over the final furlong, Coolangatta defeated the Bel Esprit gelding Thelwell by two and a quarter lengths with Pariah colt Swiss Exile a long-neck in third.
Coolangatta is now odds-on to give the Maher and Eustice their second Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner in three years after Away Game scored in 2020.
“I thought she was going to be a little fresh at 1200m for the first time,” Maher said.
“There was a bit of pressure, and we were happy to let the speed go, but she was a bit fresh and will be better for the run.
“She is a lovely, scopey filly and pretty clean winded.
“We were confident she would get the 1200m, but I will be interested in what James has to say.
“She could have almost gone to the (Classic) first-up, but she is an excitable filly, still learning her craft. I was happy to bring her here today.
“It is a tight sort of track, a bit like the Gold Coast, so she has had that experience.
“Away Game came here before the Magic Millions, so it has worked before.”
“It’s great to get another winner for Ozzie (Kheir), John O’Neil, Brae (Sokolski). There are a lot of good owners, and Will Bourne our bloodstock manager, his mother is in the horse so shout out to Deb.”
Bred by Highclere Stud Australia, Coolangatta was a $280,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Milburn Creek draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to the promising 3yo Snitzel gelding Snitzonfire, Coolangatta is the second foal of the Sydney winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Piping Hot.
A $320,000 purchase by John and Jake Warren at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Piping Hot is a half-sister to the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reaan (Hussonet), a daughter of the Group II Moonee Valley Oaks winner Ribe (Danehill).
Piping Hot has a yearling filly by Dundeel and was covered by Capitalist last spring but missed.
Reigning Champion stallion, Written Tycoon has 44 catalouged for the Magic Millions and six in the Inglis Classic
