Magic Contenders on the March

Media Release - Sunday November 21
Exciting youngster Cusack booked his place in the feature race on Queensland's richest raceday with an exciting debut win in today's $250,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m).

A member of the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young Stable, Cusack was sent out a $10 pop with bookies in a wide open race and overcame greenness for a gutsy win.

Advertisement

Cusack wins the $250,000 Ballarat Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Rider Craig Newitt was able to get enough out of the son of Not a Single Doubt as he snuck home to beat Matt Cumani's Cover Star, while Clayton Douglas' Epic Centre was a length back third.

The win was enjoyed by Cusack's all female ownership group - 20 share holders who are eyeing off a slice of the $500,000 Magic Millions Racing Women Bonus run in conjunction with the $2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast on January 15.

"He was tough," Busuttin said. "He didn't do everything 100 per cent."

"He was sort of off the bridle on the point of the turn. I thought 'you're in trouble' but then he was hanging out from the horse inside (of) him, but he hung tough and it was great."

"For a great bunch of owners, some first timers amongst them! (The ownership comprises) a bunch of ladies that have got together and bought the horse. They'll be chasing the ladies' bonus up on the Gold Coast."

"That is certainly a lot harder but he's basically got his ticket in the race so all being well we'll go up there."

Cusack was a $200,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Busuttin Racing from the Fernrigg Farm draft in January. The win was celebrated by the Fernrigg team who are preparing his full sister as Lot 792 at the 2022 sale.

Meanwhile, group performer Aquagirl gave her connections a big pay day when she scored a driving win in the $150,000 Magic Millions Ballarat 3YO & 4YO Classic (1100m) later in the day.

A $55,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for syndicator Wylie Dalziel in conjunction with Peter Moody and trainer Phillip Stokes from the Cressfield draft, Aquagirl was sent out at good odds after three runs this campaign including a last start stakes run over the Flemington Cup Carnival.

The well bred Aquagirl (Headwater) is a half sister to group winner Villami and is from the multiple group winning Dehere mare Galapagos Girl.

North of the border outstanding galloper Count De Rupee scored the biggest win of his rising career when he led home a Magic Millions clean sweep trifecta result in the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange.

Count de Rupee wins $1million the Gong - image Steve Hart

Locally trained by Robert and Luke Price, Count De Rupee was coming off a gallant second in the recent $7.5 million Golden Eagle when he overcame trouble in a slashing run.

Sent out the favourite, he camped off the speed under Brock Ryan before the pair with a stunning burst in the straight for an easy win to the cheers of the locals.

A son of Real Impact, Count De Rupee was a $145,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for Robert Price from the Arrowfield Stud draft in 2019. 

From just 15 starts he's earned his connections over $2.4 million with six wins and seven placings currently on his imposing record.

Proven big race performer Eleven Eleven swept the other feature at Kembla Grange when he stormed home to win the $300,000 The Warra for Greg Hickman. 

The five-year-old son of Fastnet Rock was a $230,000 buy for Hickman from the Edinburgh Park draft at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale. As it stands he's earned over $2.28 million and he is likely to be heading to the $10.25 million Magic Millions Raceday in January to win his third feature on the big day.
 

The $12.895 million Magic Millions Race Series now heads to Wyong with two feature races on December 15 acting as further stepping stones to the Gold Coast in January. 
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Yes Yes Yes to Stand at Gooree Park Stud
When Yes Yes Yes scored a course record breaking win in The Everest in 2019, the three year-old colt delivered a fairytale result for his ownership group and some of those owners are committed to ensuring his future at stud going forward and they include Julia Ritchie.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
I Am Unstoppable New for Oaklands Stud
Queenslanders have not had a great deal of opportunity to breed to sons of champion sire I Am Invincible with just two listed to stand in the sunshine state this spring, although we can now make that three with Oaklands Stud announcing the addition of Group I performer I Am Unstoppable.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Super Seth has had three G1 winners in Australia this season and John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have trained two of them, so when they produce a lightly raced maiden winner by this exciting young sire we want to know more.
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Pelzter added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday morning and the winners include unraced youngsters by Cool Aza Beel and I Am Invincible, plus a Farnan colt that tried his luck in Group races in the autumn and was far from disgraced.
Lisa Kennedy Recognized for Thoroughbred Welfare
Lisa Kennedy has always had a passion for thoroughbreds, and her efforts in guiding retired racehorses into new careers through EventStars were celebrated at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards last Sunday as the winner of the Care and Welfare Excellence Award.