West of Africa Rattles Home to Win Magic Cup

Breednet - Friday January 17

West of Africa let loose with a stunning turn of foot from the rear of the field to deny Charm Stone in a thrilling $1 million Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night.

West Of Africa wins the $2mil Magic Millions Cup

Just when the Victorian mare looked destined for victory under Damian Lane, the flashy son of Not A Single Doubt stormed down the middle of the track and claimed the lead inside the final 50m.

It was a coveted win for trainer Annabel Neasham, who was given the horse to train after he was bought for $340,000 by Tony Fung Investments and Phoenix Thoroughbreds out of the Edinburgh Park draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

West of Africa changed hands when OTI Racing purchased him as a tried horse on Neasham’s recommendation. The five-year-old has now won six races and more than $1.4 million in prizemoney

The trainer admitted she had doubts about the gelding’s chances from barrier 18, although Schiller remained confident.

“My flight was a bit delayed but it didn’t matter whether I was here or not, as long as Tyler was here to give him that steer, that was all the mattered,” Neasham said.

“We drew the carpark but Tyler is the most positive jockey there is, he came out and said that he loved the draw for the horse.

“He flopped out the back and I was a little bit worried that he was a bit detached but he’s just got a fantastic turn of foot.”

It was a second win on the night for Schiller, who earlier landed the Queensland Magic Millions Subzero on Encoder.

He said West of Africa enjoyed the solid tempo in the race.

“I love this horse,” Schiller said.

“He’s done a great job for me.

“He’s defied the pattern today, coming from last down the middle of the track.

“I was out the back and I knew that we were going quick enough.

“I said to Annabel before the race, if we’re midfield, three-deep with cover then we’re probably not going awfully quick but we were out the back, not chasing along, but I was definitely in a nice, off-the-bridle rhythm.

“When he started to pick up at the 600m, I just let him take me there, around the outside and he did the rest.”

Ironically, Sheamus Mills, who is the managing owner of Charm Stone, paid $1.25 million for the Snitzel half-sister to West of Africa at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

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Race Result - Magic Millions Cup (RL) LR 1400m

Gold Coast Track: Good(4) Time: 1:21.14
1
West Of Africa
- 5g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Serena Bay (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: Tyler Schiller 53
2
0.8
Charm Stone
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Najoom (AUS) (Northern Meteor (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Damian Lane 54.5
I Am Invincible
3
3.1
Chrysaor
- 4g Better Than Ready (AUS) x New Wings (AUS) (Choisir (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Shinn 57.5
Inglis April (Early) Online Sale $5,500
Seller: Owners
Buyer: John Manzelmann
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $300,000
Seller: Yarramalong Park, Kalbar, Qld
Buyer: Vandyke Bloodstock Pty Ltd
4
3.2
Moravia
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Our Crown Mistress (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 55.5
5
3.7
Flying Trapeze
- 4h Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Coromandel (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Cejay Graham 54
6
4.5
Buillt
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Caiguna (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: A Mallyon 54
7
4.8
Abounding
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Transonic (AUS) (Casino Prince (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: Martin Harley 57.5
8
5.6
Bel Air
- 5g Written Tycoon (AUS) x Bel Selene (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 54
9
5.9
Addriel
- 4g Harry Angel (IRE) x Zumoorooda (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Jay Bellamy Rdr: Ms N Beriman 54
10
6.7
Zou Sensation
- 5g Zoustar (AUS) x Dame Claire (NZ) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens & W Larkin Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55
11
7.2
Cinque Torri
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Averau (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: A Adkins 53
12
7.4
Perfect Thought
- 5g So You Think (NZ) x Perfectly Safe (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: J G Sargent Rdr: Craig Williams 53
13
7.7
Weigall Tiger
- 4g Saxon Warrior (JPN) x Tiger Dimejan (AUS) (Falvelon (AUS))
Tnr: K M Schweida Rdr: Ron Stewart 53
14
7.8
Oughton
- 6g More Than Ready (USA) x La Fluorescent (NZ) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Melissa Kelly Rdr: R Dolan 56
15
12.1
Military Expert
- 6g Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Gresset (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: K Mc Evoy 54
16
13.9
Freak Of Nature
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x No Evidence Needed (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
17
14.3
Redford
- 4g Snitzel (AUS) x Dream Date (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: S W Kendrick Rdr: Bailey Wheeler 53
18
15.1
Arts Object
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Ringhals (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Kurt Goldman Rdr: Angela Jones 53
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