Chris Waller improved his enviable record on Magic Millions Raceday when Madam Rouge clinched a last-stride win in Saturday’s $1 million It’s Live! in Queensland Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
The champion trainer praised the ride of jockey James McDonald who, after beginning from the inside gate and settling three back on the fence, was able to plot a path to the middle of the track on Madam Rouge.
Madam Rouge flies home to defeat Isaurian - image Grant Courtney
The daughter of Zoustar, who is out of the Al Maher mare Cabernet, unleashed a powerful turn of speed over the final 200m to overhaul Robbie Fradd on Godolprhin’s Isaurian in the shadows of the winning post.
Purchased by Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock for $310,000 out of the Widden Stud draft at the 2017 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Madam Rouge has now won five races from 17 starts and collected more than $1 million in prizemoney for connections.
"You expect good rides and that’s certainly what we got today," Waller said.
"She drew barrier one which you might think is great when the barriers come out in a race but you could see with her today, she was three back (on) the fence and she had a lot of horses in front of her."
"James didn’t take risks, he went out and got clear running, set sail for home and she got there just in time."
Madam Rouge as a yearling
McDonald, who won the Magic Millions Snippets on Straturbo in 2015, said he was delighted to cap a memorable week on the Gold Coast with a feature race victory.
"She’s been racing really well and her last start was tremendous," McDonald said.
"She’s a very good horse and she deserved this million dollar race."
"What a great day Magic Millions is, it’s been a great week and I’m happy to be a part of it."
Magic Millions
