Problem Solver ($10) ended a run of narrow defeats in the best possible fashion with victory in Australia's richest maiden race, the $250,000 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The Gerald Ryan-trained three-year-old settled midfield off a strong tempo set by race favourite Dinnigan before being asked to quicken by jockey Robbie Fradd at the top of the straight. (photo Magic Millions )
The daughter of Hinchinbrook, a $160,000 purchase at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, let down with a brilliant turn of speed to claim the lead inside the final 200m before staving off a late challenge from Tony Gollan's Sheesees Everything ($81) to clock a race record 1.08.87.
Ryan said the plan to tackle the race first-up was hatched with buyer and owner, former Hong Kong race caller and astute bloodstock agent David Raphael, after Problem Solver's third consecutive placing at Gosford in September.
"It was her first preparation last time and she had three seconds," Ryan said.
"By her last run when we put a pair of blinkers on her she was probably at the end of her preparation and I said to David (Raphael) then that we should turn her out and get her ready for this race first-up.
"I couldn't give her another race before this because I reckon she would've won because she'd improved heaps, both strength-wise and maturity-wise."
Victorian galloper Zoology ($14) closed off well to claim third while Dinnigan ($2.60) weakened late but managed to hold fourth for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
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