Racing and breeding powerhouse Godolphin went shopping at the Magic Millions for the first time in 2018 and they came away with a filly that shapes as a leading chance in next week's $2 million 2yo Classic.
With the former Magic Millions managing director, Vin Cox, taking up the head role at Godolphin, they came away with eight yearlings for a spend of $374,375.00.
The equal highest price at $600,000 was Vinery Stud's Snitzel filly Exhilarates who booked her place in next weeks 2yo Classic with a resounding win in a hotly contested QTIS 2-Y-O Hcp (1100m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The first foal of the exceptional racemare Samaready (More Than Ready), Exhilarates defeated the handsome I Am Invincible colt Lubuk by one and three-quarter lengths with the topweight The Odyssey (Better Than Ready) a length back in third. (photo Racing Queensland ).
It was the first win at the fourth start for Exhilarates who was coming off a second-place finish behind Magic Millions 2yo Classic favourite Unite And Conquer at Wyong.
Winning rider Kerrin McEvoy said it will be a first for the royal blue in next week's race.
"The whole time I rode for Darley and Godolphin they weren't up here. But it's great they are part of the Magic Millions Sales now and have a runner in the race," McEvoy said.
"She jumped nicely today. The other day she screwed sideways so James (Cummings) put the blinkers on her today.
"She travelled nicely behind Jimmy Orman's horse (The Odyssey). I had the race under wraps from the 400 metres."
It will also be a first for trainer James Cummings.
"That's a perfect gallop for her seven days out from the grand final," Cummings said. At the same time, that is her best run.
"Kerrin did a beautiful job from a nice barrier. She had a little gear change, we are trying different things with her. She has settled in well and she has shown nice ability. She is fit and it's the perfect lead-up to the Magic Millions next week if she turns up in good health after this.
"Early on she was no Samaready but she is a big improver and it's an open race."
Exhilarates (pictured as a yearling ) is the first named foal of Samaready whose six wins from 13 starts included the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes in 2012 and Group 1 MVRC AJ Moir Stakes the following year.
The daughter of More Than Ready (USA) has a yearling colt by All Too Hard. After slipping in 2017, Samaready was one of 206 blue-blooded mares to visit Yarraman Park Stud's magnificent I Am Invincible last spring.
Exhilarates will be out to break new ground for Snitzel in the Magic Millions.
He is yet to taste success in the valuable race which has winners by his sire, Redoute's Choice (2005 winner Bradbury's Luck) and former Arrowfield stablemate Danzero (2004 winner Dance Hero), and Not A Single Doubt (2011 winner Karuta Queen).
Samaready's sire More Than Ready (USA) won the race in 2008 with Augusta Proud and with Phelan Ready the following year.
