One to Watch – Echuca

Tara Madgwick - Thursday June 13

Hellbent will have two very good chances in the $3million Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap this Saturday in high class mares Magic Time and Benedetta and another of his daughters caught the eye when resuming from a spell to win in style at Echuca on Thursday.

Loafer wins easily at Echuca - image Jay Town / Racing Photos

A homebred for OTI Racing trained by Archie Alexander, two year-old Loafer was held in high enough regard to contest the Group II MRC Blue Diamond Prelude on debut back in February.

Advertisement

While she failed to impress that day against Hayasugi, Loafer has been working well since and was a short priced favourite for the 1100m maiden and had no troubles disposing of her older rivals to win by nearly two lengths.

“We’ve loved ger from day one and you don’t run many horses first up in a Group II and while we didn’t go there thinking she was a winning chance we though she could run well, so a maiden today was always going to be well within her reach,” said Archie Alexander.

Loafer is a half-sister to multiple Group winner New Predator and is a full sister to Group II placed filly Vivy Air being the seventh winner from seven foals to race from Head over Heels, a winning half-sister by Fastnet Rock to stakes-winner Presently.

Head Over Heels has a yearling filly by Hellbent and is back in foal again to the Group I winning son of I Am Invincible.

Advertisment

Race Result - Carlton Draught Mdn Plate 1100m

Echuca Track: Soft(7) Time: 1:07.33
1
Loafer
- 2f Hellbent (AUS) x Head Over Heels (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Declan Bates 55
2
1.8
Minesite
- 3g Santos (AUS) x Lieoftheland (IRE) (Canford Cliffs (IRE))
Tnr: J D Pearson Rdr: J Keating 59.5
3
2.3
Highlands
- 3g Sidestep (AUS) x Ouachita (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Fred W Kersley 59.5
4
2.5
Megaflash
- 3g Bolt D'oro (USA) x Lightning Spur (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Ms B Dunn Rdr: Lachlan King 59.5
5
2.9
Hell Of A Gent
- 3g Hellbent (AUS) x Geneteau (AUS) (Beneteau (AUS))
Tnr: L Kennewell & L Yeomans Rdr: Zac Spain 59.5
6
6.9
Whodareswins
- 5g Magnus (AUS) x Crystal Sprite (AUS) (Hurricane Sky (AUS))
Tnr: Lil Anderson Rdr: K Jennings 59.5
7
7.9
Skilful Artist
- 3g Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Berry Delicious (AUS) (Blevic (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: J Bowditch 59.5
8
9.9
Blue Royale
- 3f Puissance De Lune (IRE) x Bluetrice (AUS) (Lake Coniston (IRE))
Tnr: R J Besanko Rdr: Logan Bates 55.5
9
19.9
Sosoomee
- 5m Sooboog (AUS) x Sevillano (AUS) (Octagonal (NZ))
Tnr: Rhys Archard Rdr: Laura Lafferty 57.5
More Reading...
Magic Millions & Scone Race Club Forge Landmark Three-Year Partnership
Scone Race Club (SRC) and Magic Millions Sales Pty Ltd announce a historic and dynamic long-term partnership. Magic Millions is committed to investing in Scone Race Club the racing hub of Australia’s thoroughbred capital, the Upper Hunter Valley in addition to elevating the profile of breeding excellence that emanates from within this economically crucial agricultural region.
People at Magic Millions Monday
Maree McEwan has been getting around speaking to vendors about the highlight lots as inspections settle in and the sale gets close.
Hot Lots Day 1 – Magic Millions
All eyes will be on the Gold Coast on Tuesday when the first day of selling for the 2026 Magic Millions yearling sale gets underway with 210 lots catalogued.
Magic Millions What Happened Last Year?
The stage is set for the 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sale kicking off on Tuesday morning at 11am Queensland time, so let’s have a quick refresh as to what happened last year.
G1 Blue Diamond Second Declarations - Who is Still in the Hunt?
Second declarations have been confirmed for Victoria’s premier two-year-old race, the $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Stakes Next for Blueblood Snitzel Colt from English
A return to Ellerslie next week is on the cards for promising three-year-old King’s English following his win in the Elsdon Park 1200 at the Auckland track on Sunday.
G1 Savabeel Stallion Primed for Return
The connections of last season’s gun three-year-old Savaglee have some pondering to do over the next few days.
Sires With Winners - Monday January 12
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
More People at Magic Millions Monday
It's busy! There's more! Hear what the vendors are saying about their parades and their highlight yearlings.
Profondo Poised to Make Impact With First Yearlings at Karaka 2026
Kiwi first-season sires such as Super Seth, Hello Youmzain and Sword Of State have captivated the Karaka buyers’ bench in the last few years, and Windsor Park Stud’s exciting newcomer Profondo has the profile to continue that trend at Karaka 2026.