MARKOU LANDS KO
Toowoomba galloper arrives on the line at Millions
RACING: Outsider Mr Markou struck an unexpected blow for Toowoomba gallopers when he pulled off one of Magic Millions race day’s biggest upsets at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Sent out at odds of $81 following his previous unplaced effort at Warwick on Boxing Day, Mr Markou stunned punters with a storming finish to claim the $250,000 Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) for trainer Ben Currie.
Mr Markou arrived for jockey Dan Griffin to edge out Reckless Choice ($8) in a close finish.
Sir Stanley ($6) was 3⁄4 length back third.
Saturday’s win was the former southern galloper’s fifth from 27 starts with the $150,000 winner’s cheque doubling his prize money earnings to more than $300,000.
Currie shared the win with Mr Markou’s large group of owners including Victory Thoroughbreds, whose familiar blue colours were carried to victory.
“It’s a big thrill to win a race like that,” Currie told Channel 7.
“And to do it with some really good owners who have been loyal to me over the past few years is a big thrill.
“It was a brilliant ride. “We were a bit worried about the gate (17), like everyone.
“He just began a bit slow today which meant that he (Griffin) was probably limited with his options and he had to ride him for luck.
“But he just kept getting the breaks. He got to the outside and he finished really strong.”
■ CAMBOOYA’S Eureka Stud was one of the day’s major winners when Boomsara ($3.80) held on for a narrow victory in the $2 million Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas (1400m) for trainer Chris Munce and jockey Tim Clark.
Boomsara is by Eureka sire Spirit Of Boom and is raced by an 18-member syndicate including Eureka Stud.
Boomsara was purchased by Munce Racing for $45,000 at the 2017 Gold Coast Magic Millions March Yearling Sale.
First prize money for the Guineas was $1.2 million.
Toowoomba filly Barefoot ($21) earned her connections $90,000 prizemoney with her Guineas fourth placing for trainer Tony Sears.
Dropping back from a win over nine furlongs a week prior, Barefoot was presented in the straight after receiving a soft run from Mark du Plessis, however wasn’t able to sprint with the first three.
■ REX Lipp’s In His Stride ($21) maintained his strong record at the Magic Millions meeting, running third and cashing $90,000 in the QTIS Open (1300m).
The six-year-old ran second in the same race back in 2017, finishing a nose behind Madotti.