Exciting filly Euphoric Summer burst into contention for January’s A$2 million The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic after a thrilling win in Saturday’s Clockwise Classic at Ballarat.
In a driving finish Euphoric Summer held out the favourite Rathlin and booked her place into the field for the A$2 million Gold Coast feature on January 11.
Euphoric Summer ridden by Ben Melham seen winning the Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic at Ballarat on 23 November 2019 – photo by Quentin Lang
Euphoric Summer, who is raced by the international Phoenix Ladies Syndicate, scored valuable black type on debut when she chased home Tanker for second in the listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield.
She is a professional youngster for co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and was handled brilliantly this afternoon by proven big race jockey Ben Melham.
“She showed a lot of guts and determination,” a delighted Kent said of the Not a Single Doubt filly. “Ben rode her super.”
“Hats off to the filly – she’s tough. Rathlin was breathing down her neck and she kept sticking her nose out.”
“She’s a lovely two-year-old type and she’s from a Group One winner so she’s looking great value.”
“She’s a natural and all roads lead to (the Gold Coast) on January 11. She’s got the talent but importantly for a two-year-old she’s got the brain.”
“We’re in the Magic Millions (2YO Classic field) now so we have the luxury of taking our time with her. She will probably have a little break now and get up there three weeks before the big race.”
A $260,000 Gold Coast Yearling Sale buy for her all female ownership group, Euphoric Summer is eligible for the $500,000 Magic Millions Racing Women’s bonus.
The Phoenix Ladies Syndicate outfit has successfully syndicated and raced horses with all female ownership around the world and today’s star was one of two youngsters they purchased from the Gold Coast in 2019.
The win provided a lovely pre-sale pedigree boost to the Fastnet Rock half sister to Euphoric Summer who is heading to January’s 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Catalogued as Lot 526, the bay filly will headline a cracking draft for Scone’s Cressfield operation and she will go under the hammer during the early part of Day Three of the auction on January 10.
Meanwhile, Hawker Hurricane continued his love affair in feature races on Ballarat Cup Day when he scored a gutsy win in the Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic late in the day.
One of Victoria’s most consistent young gallopers, Hawker Hurricane won last year’s Clockwise Classic as a two-year-old and has between then and now been competitive in a string of feature races in Melbourne and is a multiple stakes performer.
Carrying the familiar colours of part owner Rupert Legh, Hawker Hurricane was able to hold out the determined favourite L’il Kontra to win the feature in grand style.
A son of Deep Field, Hawker Hurricane is trained by Michael Moroney and was purchased for connections by his brother, leading bloodstock agent Paul Moroney from Widden Stud at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$150,000.
Widden Stud will present a Shalaa half brother to Hawker Hurricane as Lot 130 at January’s 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
