Sky Lab experienced the perfect introduction to Magic Millions racing when he won Thursday’s $1 million Frizelle Sunshine Magic Millions Subzero (2200m) on the Gold Coast.
The five-year-old son of Real Impact almost doubled his career prizemoney when he came with a wide run from near the rear to prove too strong for his rivals in the 2200-metre event.
It was the first start outside of New South Wales for the Paul Perry-trained gelding, who was a $48,000 buy for his trainer from the Arrowfield Stud draft out of Book 2 at the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Newcastle-based Perry said Sky Lab had taken beautifully to life in Queensland, which helped him overcome having to carry 60kg top weight.
“He relaxes very well and he’s done so well up here,” he said.
“I thought the 60 kilos was the only worry. I knew he’d get the journey and I didn’t worry about the barrier because he gets back anyway. but I thought the 60 kilos was the hurdle.”
Sky Lab ($6) defeated Street Dancer ($11) by a neck with Outlandos ($31) a head away third.
The victory was Sky Lab’s fifth win at start number 23 and the $585,000 winner’s cheque lifted his career earnings to $1,206,330.
It is easy to mount a case to say he could have added to that winning tally earlier this campaign, having been luckless when fifth in the $2 million Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) and second in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at his previous two starts.
Jason Collett was aboard Sky Lab in the Subzero and said it was a deserved feature-race success for the galloper who was runner-up to Mo’Unga in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) as a younger horse.
“He’s showed it as a three-year-old and a couple of good runs in that prep but this preparation every run has been really good without much luck,” he said.
“He’s probably starting to find the distance that he’s looking for now.”
