Toby Edmonds won the 2017 $2million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with I Am Invincible filly Houtzen and will be looking to win the $2million 3YO Guineas with his speedy son Whypeeo, who led all the way to win the Listed BRC Gold Edition Plate over 1200 metres.
While the race favourite Pierata was a touch slow from the gates, Whypeeo
quickly took up the lead and kicked away off the home turn to open up a good
margin.Pierro colt Pierata closed hard, but Whypeeo was tenacious at the post claim a short neck win, his fourth from six starts with prizemoney in excess of $166,000.
It was a welcome return to form for the progressive gelding, who was only third as a short priced favourite at Canterbury on December 1.
"It was his first trip away (at Canterbury) and it was a windy night and he got stirred up. He was slow to jump and had to be used up early," Edmonds said.
"I knew he would be fitter and he is a smart horse when he is right."
Edmonds said Whypeeo would now run in the Vo Rogue Stakes in a fortnight and go on to the Magic Millions Guineas.
Whypeoo's win puts him in line for a $400,000 bonus for any horse winning three select races up to and including the Magic Millions Guineas.
Pierata is also still eligible for the bonus after winning the Winning Rupert Stakes two weeks ago.
A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for Blue Sky Bloodstock from the Yarraman Park draft, Whypeeo is a half-brother to Group II winner Meliora and is the sixth winner from six to race from terrific producer Sunset Boulevard.
Bred by Yvonne Smith and foaled and raised at Yarraman Park, Whypeeo is the
25th stakes-winner for I Am Invincible, whose five year-old son Most Important
won the next race, the Listed BRC Lough Neagh Stakes.The Tony Gollan trained Most Important won the same race last year and will now head towards the Magic Millions raceday for the Magic Millions Cup (1400m).
Most Important failed in two runs during the Melbourne spring, but is clearly now back to his best judging by this length and a quarter win under Jim Byrne in the 1350 metre feature.
"He went awful in Melbourne but he came back and we gave him some time off with some Queensland sun on his back," Gollan said.
"He has been building towards this and I came here supremely confident today that he would get the right run and he did.
"Jim got to the front on him early in the straight and he toughed it out well.
Most Important was a $260,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Yarraman Park draft and has won eight races and placed eight times from 30 starts earning nearly $700,000 in prizemoney.
Bred by Yarraman Park and partners, Most Important is the best of six winners
for Orange Marmalade (NZ), a half-sister by Stravinsky (USA) to Group III
winner Just a Dream from Group III winner Majestic Angel.Orange Marmalade (NZ) produced a colt foal this spring by I Am Invincible's stakes-winning son Super One.
I Am Invincible has 44 entries for the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Yarraman Park will present a draft of 25 for Magic Millions including 13 by I Am Invincible, click here to see them.
