$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.

Advertisment

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
More Reading...
One to Watch – Mornington
In Cox Plate week it only seems fitting that the 2013 winner Shamus Award would give us a ‘One to Watch’ at Mornington on Thursday.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
Inglis Digital - Darby Swoop on Amazing Eagle for $310,000
Scott Darby believes today’s Inglis Digital sale-topper Amazing Eagle (Capitalist) can continue along the same successful mould as the likes of former online Darby acquisitions Robusto, Caballus and Imperial Force and progress on to become a future racetrack star.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
McGaw Firms For Coolmore Stud Stakes After G2 Danehill Win
Considered an outside chance in betting markets, Emma-Lee and David Browne’s I Am Immortal gelding McGaw dented the reputation of a few leading Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes contenders with a fighting win in the $300,000 Gr2 VRC Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.