Local trainer Paul Shailer turned $36,000 into $300,000 in less than a minute when speedy filly Toorak Jewel made a statement in $500,000 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions The Debut Plate (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
An astute purchase by Mike Crooks out of Raheen Stud’s Book 2 draft at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the daughter of Tassort had shown blistering speed in her trials leading into the lucrative feature, which is a relatively new addition to the Magic Millions race program.
That speed was replicated on Saturday when James McDonald sent Toorak Jewel straight to the front after she jumped well from barrier two.
The filly was never headed and had a length-and-a-half to spare over Chris Waller and Resolute Racing’s $1.05 million yearling purchase Lady Moscato when she crossed the line.
Shailer said he was appreciative of the opportunity to train for Crooks, the leviathan Queensland owner that sent him the filly after he won the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in mid-2025.
“She’s shown a fair bit of class leading into today,” Shailer said.
“She trailed well and it doesn’t matter where you trial, not many horses win by 10 lengths pulling up and she did it in good time.
“She’d trained on well.
“She’s a quality filly, James is a quality rider and it was a good result.
“Mike Crooks, the Mishani man, he purchased her and he called me over after Isti Star won the million-dollar race here in May and he gave me a couple of horses to train.
“She was one of them.”
McDonald was taken with the filly’s performance and said connections can start dreaming about Stakes races in the coming weeks and months.
“Favourite for the Slipper you reckon?” McDonald said.
“She’s a massive filly and I’m sure they will have a lot of fun with her.
“Paul has always been a really good trainer and that filly shows you what he can do with a horse.
“She was very well educated, she knew her job and I just love how she went about her business.
“For her to sustain a gallop like that and then quicken off it was a really good testament to her ability.
“She’s very competitive which is a good sign.”
Toorak Jewel was bought from the Raheen Stud draft and is the first winner for Toorak Rose, a winning Toorak Toff daughter of stakes-placed Plans.
Paul Shailer was active during Book 1 of the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, purchasing 10 horses for a combined $1.9 million. Mishani Enterprises signed for Lot 605, a Farnan filly from Yarramalong Park, for $220,000.
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