$14,000 Long Legged Dork Wins $1mil Showdown

Craig Tompson - Sunday March 16

The trainer liked his long legs so paid $14,000 for McGaw who went two for two in the $1million TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

McGaw wins the $1million showdown - image Grant Courtney

It was an impressive effort too after drawing a wide gate and Damien Lane was left wide without cover working so had to press right on and sit outside the lead.

It was as tough a run as any in the race yet he fought impressively to beat Befuddle (Hanseatic) by half a length with Chergui (Frosted) third.

Trained by ex-pat Kiwis Emma-Lee and David Browne, Mcgaw was a $14,000 purchase for Sparta Racing from the Stonehouse Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in 2024.

McGaw and those long legs that attracted his trainer! - image Grant Courtney

“I liked his long legs,” said Emme-Lee.

“David tried to take the mickey out of me. He said, you know, it's got a wonky look.

“He’s such an amazing horse. He's an amazing horse because he is a bit of a dork. He's got those big ears. He wanders around. He eats all his food. He tries to stand on his own feet and then he gets out there and he does this."

McGaw and his adoring owners - image Grant Courtney

McGaw is the fifth foal of Listed NZ winner Niki Piki Milo, a mare by Librettist, and half-sister to the Group I placed duo of Bella Gioia and Bella Mente. The family includes Pride Of Dubai.

Niki Piki Milo changed hands at the 2020 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $16000.

Her yearling, also by I Am Immortal sold for $160,000 to Busuttin Racing at the Inglis Premier Sale this year when offered by Widden Stud.

She foaled a filly by Supido last year and returned to I Am Immortal.

McGaw is the 11th season winner for I Am Immortal, a son of I Am Invincible who stands at Victoria’s Swettenham Stud.

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Race Result - The TBV VOBIS Platinum Showdown 1200m

Caulfield Track: Good(3) Time: 1:10.37
1
Mcgaw
- 2g I Am Immortal (AUS) x Niki Piki Milo (NZ) (Librettist (USA))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Damian Lane 58
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $160,000
Seller: Widden Stud, Riddells Creek
Buyer: Busuttin Racing Pty Ltd
2
0.5
Befuddle
- 2f Hanseatic (AUS) x Absolute Puzzle (AUS) (Rubick (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Jye McNeil 56
3
0.6
Chergui
- 2c Frosted (USA) x Essaouira (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Melham 58
4
1.3
Killiana
- 2f Brazen Beau (AUS) x Vivacious Spirit (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M Zahra 56
5
2.3
Miss Celine
- 2f Magnus (AUS) x Charm's Honour (AUS) (Strada (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Ethan Brown 56
6
3.3
Rohesia
- 2f Hanseatic (AUS) x Vinni Rose (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 56
7
3.6
Eeteedee
- 2f Strasbourg (AUS) x Black Booty (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Glen Thompson Rdr: Declan Bates 56
8
4.6
Cloisters
- 2c Frosted (USA) x Badia (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Jamie Melham 58
9
5
Ornos
- 2c Toronado (IRE) x Gypsy's Best (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: D W Stackhouse 58
10
7.2
Nostra Bella
- 2f Nostradamus (AUS) x La Bella Miss (AUS) (War Chant (USA))
Tnr: Karlene Tindale Rdr: Carleen Hefel 56
11
7.5
Stars Aligned
- 2c Lucky Vega (IRE) x Northern Reign (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Brian Lawlor Rdr: J Bowditch 58
12
8.5
Winmar
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x You Hadme At Hello (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: Ben Allen 58
13
8.9
Leave No Doubt
- 2c Doubtland (AUS) x Elusive Melody (AUS) (Your Song (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: H Coffey 58
14
16.9
Cryoseisms
- 2c Frosted (USA) x Earthquake (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: Craig Williams 58
15
18.2
Himalayan
- 2f Frosted (USA) x My Fire Phoenix (AUS) (The Factor (USA))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: J Mott 56
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