Browne journey was Well worth it
TOP jockey Damian Browne has made a rare trip to the Gold Coast to put promising two-year-old Well Prepared on a Magic Millions trail.
Browne, a multiple Group 1-winning jockey, is based at the Sunshine Coast and is notorious for not liking to make the three to four-hour trip to the Gold Coast.
However, he took four rides at the Aquis Park meeting yesterday and Well Prepared ($10) made the trip worth while when he led all the way to beat the unlucky Mishani Desire ($3.80) by 2¼ lengths in the Skyline Restaurant QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (900m).
Well Prepared was a $20,000 yearling buy and Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick hopes to get him into the field for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) on January 12.
His colt Fullazaboot ran second in this year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic before being sold to Hong Kong.
“Obviously we will have to head to town to try to get more prizemoney for him to get into the Millions,” Kendrick said.
Well Prepared is a son of the former top Queensland sprinter Better Than Ready who is the state’s leading first-season sire.
Toowoomba trainer Tony Sears is likely to veto a Magic Millions campaign for Barefoot despite her impressive win in the QTIS Three-YearOld Class 3 Plate (1400m).
Barefoot ($6.50) gave Sears a winning double when she came from last to win.
The filly, who cost $55,000 as a yearling, is nominated for the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m).
However, Sears said he was unlikely to chase a place in the Guineas.
“I really think she will be best at 1600 metres and it is a big ask to take on those really good horses,” he said.
Sears earlier won with the handy Basara ($2.25 fav) who appreciated a return from Saturday racing to claim the BenchMark 70 Handicap for fillies and mares.
Gold Coast trainer Michael Costa scored his ninth win in 12 days when Smug Satisfaction ($1.45 fav) won the BenchMark 65.