After an abrupt finish to the richest day’s racing in Queensland on Saturday, Magic Millions Day is underway at the Gold Coast, with the running of the first of six $1,000,000 races, which back up the two features, the $2,000,000 Magic Millions 2yo Classic and $2,000,000 Magic Millions 3yo Guineas.
Fittingly, two of the best in Queensland, Alpine Edge and Ef Troop, by two of the best stallion in the state, fought out the finish of the Racing Queensland Magic Millions QTIS Open (1300m).
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The Better Than Ready entire Alpine Edge walked across the road from his stable to break a 76-week drought.
Given a ground-saving ride from an inside barrier by James McDonald, the Toby & Trent Edmonds-trained 4yo defeated Ef Tropp (Spirit Of Boom) by two lengths with Dr Why Not Love Conquers All back three-quarters of a length back in third.
Coming off a second to Yellow Brick in the $750,000 King Of The Mountain at Toowoomba on New Year’s Eve, Alpine Edge was in the winner’s circle for the first time since capturing a 2yo race at Eagle Farm in July 2021.
“That was a huge relief. He was second a couple of years ago in the two-year-old race, and wow, what a good result,” Trent Edmonds said.
“The poor bugger’s race record should be better than it is. We’ve gone to the well with him in the Caulfield Guineas, Doomben 10,000, but we got the cash today. How good. What a great ride.
“I told all of the guys in him that we can keep coming back every year, and this is his race, the QTIS race.
“It’s huge prizemoney, and we just set him for a couple of races a year, and if he stays sound and stays competitive for the next couple of years, why not?
“I’m just elated for this horse.”
The son of Better Than Ready was one of the best juveniles in the nation, winning at his first two starts in the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes, followed by the Group III BJ McLachlan Stakes. He met defeat for the first time when he was runner-up to Shaquero in the $2,000,000 Magic Millions Classic.
Purchased by Edmonds Racing/Kestral Thoroughbreds/Lucky Clover for $160,000 out of the Yarramalong Park draft from Book 2 of the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Alpine Edge advances his record to four wins and three seconds from 16 starts with earnings of $1,405,125.
He was the most expensive yearling by his sire, sold at a public auction in 2020.
Bred by Yarramalong Park, Alpine Edge is the best of three winners from four to race out of the stakes-placed Freeze mare Freezethemillions, who was a $5,000 at the 2013 QTIS Yearling Sale.
Freezethemillions hails from the family of champion racehorse and sire Zeditave. She has been a regular partner of Better Than Ready in recent years.
Annabel Neasham/Brian McGuire paid $300,000 for a brother to Alpine Edge consigned by Yarramalong Park to the 2022 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He has been named Port Lockroy.
Freezethemillions has a yearling filly and colt foal by Better Than Ready and was covered by the Lyndhurst Stud Farm stallion again last spring.
