At the Gold Coast on Friday night, Russian Revolution filly Lumbini started a warm favourite for the $250,000 Magic Millions Debut (1000m), but punters were looking decidedly anxious when the filly turned for home locked up on the fence behind the leaders.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Lumbini won both of her trials in Sydney this preparation and with barrier one tonight and Tim Clark on board was expected to take an easy win.
She jumped OK, but was quickly crossed by a couple of others with Clark content to let her travel behind them on the rail which was a good plan until the leaders kept going and stuck to their course.
With no sign of a split, Clark elected to ease back, go around horses and trust her ability which proved the winning move as Lumbini lengthened stride in a twinkling and surged straight past to win by a length and a half in a slick 57.6 seconds.
The runner-up Say You Will (Pierata) lodged a protest which was dismissed and Iransofar (Better Than Ready) held third place.
“She showed a tremendous turn of foot and picked them up quite easily,” said Tim Clark.
“Barrier one always made me nervous and she had to stand in there for a while, but she got herself out of trouble and made me look good doing it.”
A $450,000 Magic Millions purchase making her the highest priced yearling for her sire Russian Revolution in 2025, she was offered by Newgate Farm and purchased by Glentree Thoroughbreds/ Badgers Bloodstock.
Banking $149,975 in prizemoney from her debut victory, Lumbini will give the stable another runner in the $3million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on January 17 as they also prepare race favourite Shiki, who resumes from a spell at Randwick on Saturday.
Lumbini is the fifth foal to race and fifth winner from US G1 winner My Conquestadory (USA) and is a full sister to stakes-placed Russian Conquest, who was second in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
My Conquestadory produced a filly this spring by I Am Invincible.
Newgate will offer 51 yearlings at Magic Millions 2026 including three by Russian Revolution, who has 26 entries for the Gold coast in total.
