Hedley spends up at Magic Millions

TOWNSVILLE Cup winning owner Tom Hedley could be ready to unveil the next major Cup winner for North Queensland following a successful week at the Magic Millions Yearling Sales.

The leviathan owner was the second biggest spender, behind Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, at the sales which were held at the Gold Coast on Monday and Tuesday.

Townsville Turf Club president Mal Petrofski was also on the Glitter Strip hunting for his own future champion.

Hedley said he was happy with his purchases. They are likely to be broken in and educated in the south of Queensland before moving north to be in the stables of regular trainers Roy Chillemi and Michael Geaney.

“We bought a few nice ones, nice ready to run style yearlings that are well bred,” Hedley said. “The breeding does not make them go any faster but we will see.”

Close relations to star stable pair Tyzone and Grey Missile were considered for the Hedley and Chillemi partnership, before deciding to look elsewhere. Hedley instead looked to exciting sires Aquis Farm’s Husson and former stakes winner Starspangledbanner from Coolmore stud. Both sires have produced group-winning horses in the past.

Magic Millions is planning how its monster National Sale in May-june may look after successfully navigating the annual Gold Coast March Yearling Sale this week.

Under the revised conditions of no public access, this week’s sale realised a gross of $7,788,500 at an average of $28,529. The figures represent a 21 per cent fall in gross sales from last year.