Hiinchbrook's Problem Solver Kick Starts Magic Millions Day

Media Release - Saturday January 13

Problem Solver ($10) ended a run of narrow defeats in the best possible fashion with victory in Australia's richest maiden race, the $250,000 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Gerald Ryan-trained three-year-old settled midfield off a strong tempo set by race favourite Dinnigan before being asked to quicken by jockey Robbie Fradd at the top of the straight. (photo Magic Millions )

Advertisement


The daughter of Hinchinbrook, a $160,000 purchase at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, let down with a brilliant turn of speed to claim the lead inside the final 200m before staving off a late challenge from Tony Gollan's Sheesees Everything ($81) to clock a race record 1.08.87.

Ryan said the plan to tackle the race first-up was hatched with buyer and owner, former Hong Kong race caller and astute bloodstock agent David Raphael, after Problem Solver's third consecutive placing at Gosford in September.

"It was her first preparation last time and she had three seconds," Ryan said.

"By her last run when we put a pair of blinkers on her she was probably at the end of her preparation and I said to David (Raphael) then that we should turn her out and get her ready for this race first-up.

"I couldn't give her another race before this because I reckon she would've won because she'd improved heaps, both strength-wise and maturity-wise."

Victorian galloper Zoology ($14) closed off well to claim third while Dinnigan ($2.60) weakened late but managed to hold fourth for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Magic Millions Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Barneswood Farm Trans Tasman Strike
A trans-Tasman ownership double prompted long and enthusiastic celebrations for Ashburton’s Barneswood Farm.
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 7
Here is the full list of 67 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
El Vencedor Crowned NZ Horse of the Year
Rich Hill Stud’s standing as a centre of thoroughbred excellence has been further emphasised with El Vencedor named New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.
Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G3 in South Korea
Australian bred Deep Field gelding Self Improvement was the pride of Hong Kong on Sunday when the Manfred Man trained gelding captured the Group III Seoul Korea Sprint (1200m) in South Korea.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
Shamus Award Mare Quintessa Cracks $1million in Prizemoney
Karaka graduate Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award) became a millionaire and a dual Group One winner with a stunning last-to-first performance in the $400,000 Group One Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday.