The locals went 1-2-3 in the $1m Racing Qld Magic Millions (1300m) to bring the curtain down on Magic Millions raceday at the Gold Coast.
In a driving finish, Stephanie Thornton guided the top-weight The Odyssey (Better Than Ready) to half-head win over the fast-finishing Stuttering (Love Conquers All) with Boomtown Lass (Spirit Of Boom) a neck back in third.
The first three are all by Queensland-based stallions and trained in Queensland.
Winning trainer Kelly Schweida The Odyssey is at his limit at 1300m.
“We would have liked him in an 1100m race with 57kgs, but it wasn’t to be. This looked to be a weaker race on paper. Not that there are any weak races when running for 1million dollars at 1300m with 59kgs he is at his outer limits,” Schweida said.
“She rode him a treat. They took him on so she box-seated and put him into the race. She will have a smile from ear to ear. I could almost see the smile when she was pulling up there.
“Better than Ready is a good sire. Desleigh Forster’s horse (Apache Chase, ran a great race (when fourth) in the 3yo Guineas but they will party pretty hard tonight.
I’m pretty stoked.”
Thornton has developed a special bond with The Odyssey.
“I love the horse and it coldn’t be any more special than winning here today,” she said.
“He is a kids pony. I’ve said that from day one. You could put a 4kg claiming kid having their first ride and he would teach them everything they need to know.”
Purchased by his trainer for $30,000 out of the Millbrook draft at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, The Odyssey advances his record to 10 four thee from 25 starts with earnings of $1,702,300
The Odyssey is the third live foal and second winner for the Snitzel mare Jessica's Hope who died in January 2018.
Her final foal is a colt by Epaulette was consigned by Millbrook to the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he made $60,000 to the bid of Beamish Bloodstock.
On Friday, Schweida paid $175,000 for Lot 758, a yearling colt by Better Than Ready out of the Yarramalong Park draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
