Written Tycoon's Coolangatta Triumphs in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic

Mark Smith - Saturday January 15

Written Tycoon filly Coolangatta kept up the great strike rate for favourites in the $2,000,000 Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast when she held the challenge of the game Russian Conquest.

James McDonald goes for home on the short-priced favourite (image Grant Courtney)

It was a second win in the race in three years for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace following Away Game in 2020.

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Given the run of the race by James McDonald, Coolangatta struck the front at the top of the straight and bravely defied the challenge of the Russian Revolution filly Russian Conquest by a long head. The Snitzel filly Snitcat was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third ahead of Perfect Mission (The Mission) who made it a 1-2-3-4 for the fillies.

The winner of the Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on October 2, Coolangatta prepped for the Millions with a win in the Group III Magic Millions BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Boxing Day.

Now

unbeaten in three starts Coolangatta takes her earnings to $1,394,000.

The daughter of Written Tycoon is raced by a partnership that includes prominent owners John O'Neill, Ozzie Kheir, Brae Sokolski, and Matthew Becker’s Group 1 Bloodstock.

Maher paid tribute to Eustace, as well as Bloodstock Manager Will Bourne, who identified the filly early.

“Dave and I aren’t normally at the track together. He’s somewhere and I’m usually somewhere else, so it’s great to share it with him today,” Maher said.

“It’s a big relief when they’re such a short-priced favourite.

Coolangatta James McDonald (image Grant Courtney)

“She’ll have a break now and head towards the Slipper.”

It was a first Magic Millions 2yo Classic for McDonald

“She’s a special filly,” McDonald said.

“The race played out perfectly, I got into the best spot possible and she does the rest.

“It was a great thrill to ride such a dominant favourite in the race, it comes with big expectations and I’m glad to be able to aid her with a nice ride.

“I’ve ridden some nice two-year-olds and she’s definitely up there.”

Maher has been extremely active at this week’s 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with a string of high-priced purchases, including a $1.7 million Not A Single Doubt colt (Lot 261) and a $1.5 million Pierro colt (Lot 419).

He also paid $800,000 for an I Am Invincible filly (Lot 676) out of Milburn Creek's draft.

Bred by Highclere Stud Australia, Coolangatta was a $280,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Milburn Creek draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Coolangatta a $280,000 Magic Millions Yearling

She is a half-sister to the promising 3yo Snitzel gelding Snitzonfire. They are the first two foals of the Sydney winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Piping Hot.

A $320,000 purchase by John and Jake Warren at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Piping Hot is a half-sister to the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reaan (Hussonet), a daughter of the Group II Moonee Valley Oaks winner Ribe (Danehill).

Piping Hot has a yearling filly by Dundeel and was covered by Capitalist last spring but missed.

It was a second win in the Millions for reigning Champion stallion, the Yulong Stud resident Written Tycoon, after Capitalist in 2016.

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Race Result - $2m The Star Mm Classic 2yo-Rl RL 1200m

Gold Coast Track: Good(3) Time: 1:09.04
1
Coolangatta
- 2f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Piping Hot (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
2
0.2
Russian Conquest
- 2f Russian Revolution (AUS) x My Conquestadory (USA) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 55
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $450,000
Seller: Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Glentree Thoroughbreds/Badgers Bloodstock
3
2.5
Snitcat
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Jellicles (AUS) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: J R Collett 55
4
2.7
Perfect Mission
- 2f The Mission (AUS) x But Perfect (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Costa Rdr: A Mallyon 55
5
4.2
Mishani Warfare
- 2g The Mission (AUS) x Mishani Harmony (AUS) (Denman (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: James Orman 57
6
5.5
Soaring Ambition
- 2f Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Tango (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
7
5.9
Golden Artie
- 2g Artie Schiller (USA) x Dig A Pony (AUS) (Mutawaajid (AUS))
Tnr: B & D Guy Rdr: Ben Thompson 57
7
5.9
Sneaky Starter
- 2f Press Statement (AUS) x You're Funny (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: M J Mair Rdr: Tiffani Brooker 55
9
6.4
Stupendo
- 2c Supido (AUS) x Bisutti (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: Craig Williams 57
10
6.5
Heroic Son
- 2c Heroic Valour (AUS) x Pirelli Princess (AUS) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: P & W Hulbert Rdr: Adin Thompson 57
11
7.3
Thelwell
- 2g Bel Esprit (AUS) x Di Maria (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Sharryn Livingstone Rdr: Justin P Stanley 57
12
7.5
Miss Hellfire
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Peace Time (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tim Clark 55
13
7.6
Mishani Spartan
- 2g Husson (ARG) x Monicelli (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: J P Morris 57
14
9.1
Mishani Persuasion
- 2g Heroic Valour (AUS) x Persuades (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: L G Ross Rdr: Rachel King 57
15
14.4
Bright Blue Sky
- 2f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Blue Blue Sky (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J W Richards Rdr: B Prebble 55
16
15.9
Cusack
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Belle Que (AUS) (Street Hero (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: C Newitt 57
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