The battle for leading first crop sire looks to have settled down to a two-horse war between Zoustar and Spirit Of Boom and while the former drew first blood on Saturday with the ruling Golden Slipper favourite Sunlight in the $175,000 Group III Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill, Spirit Of Boom countered with the quinella in the $250,000 QTIS 2yo Jewel at the Gold Coast.
The Chris Munce-trained Boomsara was comprehensively beaten by the race favourite Plumaro a fortnight earlier at Doomben but under a positive ride by Matt McGillivray and the addition of blinkers he turned that form around to defeat the filly by a length in a race that carried a richer prize than the Group II Blamey Stakes at Flemington and the Group II Phar Lap Stakes and Group II Ajax Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.
It was a double celebration for Scott McAlpine, who stands Spirit Of Boom at Eureka Stud, as he kept a share in Boomsara after selling him to Munce for $45,000 at last year's Magic Millions March (QTIS) Yearling Sale.
It was also redemption for McGillivray who jubilantly punched the air after Boomsara held the challenge of the filly Plumaro by a length with Hopes Eternal two and a half lengths back in third. (photo courtesy of Magic Millions).
McGillivray was widely castigated for his ride on Ef Troop in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic and was handed a month's suspension by stewards.
"What a thrill. The horse just kept giving and it was just a great result for everyone," McGillivray told AAP.
Munce has been building a solid reputation as a trainer following a stellar career in the saddle.
"We have had some stakes winners but this is as greatest thrill as I have got," Munce said.
"I put blinkers on him and that made the difference. We can sit down now and decide whether to push on into the winter," Munce said.
Boomsara kick-started his career with a win on the same track on February 21 and he has now banked $174,400 in his three starts.
He is the fourth winner from as many foals for the Tsuimai mare Passara who had a colt foal by Spirit Of boom last spring and was bred back to Eureka Stud's new stallion, Choisir's dual Group III winner, Defcon.
The day was not over for the high-flying Spirit Of Boom as his daughter Legal Ties added a second win to her record at Rockhampton.
The news is all positive for a strong Magic Millions March Yearling Sale beginning on Monday where 389 lots have been catalogued including 38 by Spirit Of Boom after six were withdrawn.
