Jockey Ryan Wiggins became a believer after Greytfilly emerged as a genuine Magic Millions contender with a spectacular Doomben win on Saturday.
Greytfilly ($3.60) reeled off a sensational final 200m sectional time of 11.38 seconds when she rushed past the favourite Octane Flyer ($1.95) to win by 2-3/4 lengths with Architect ($21) three-quarters-of-a-length away third in the Mastec Handicap (1110m).
“I was a bit sceptical about her because I’d ridden her in a couple of jump-outs and I didn’t think she was capable of doing what she did today,” Wiggins said.
“But the way she won she’s definitely got what it takes to be competitive in the Magic Millions and there’s plenty of improvement still to come.”
Greytfilly settled midfield before Wiggins elected to angle the filly away from the fence approaching the home turn to give her room to move.
“She’s a bit of a handful but one thing she does have is a big motor. When I asked her for an effort she put paid to them quickly,” Wiggins said.
Octane Flyer was heavily backed but jockey Ric McMahon was not disappointed with his effort.
“He ran a good race but might’ve had enough for the time being and the filly was better off at the weights today and was too good for us,” McMahon said.
“He’s done a good job this campaign and with a bit of time off to strengthen up he’ll come back even better.”
Meanwhile tough stayer Run Royal Run continued his remarkable comeback from two career-threatening injuries when he overhauled Break The Ice ($31) to win the Class Six Plate (2140m) by a long head.
“After his first start at the Sunshine Coast he broke his pelvis and the injury was that bad it took us four days to get him home,” trainer Barry Baldwin said.
“He spent three months locked up in his box 24 hours a day then when we got him back racing again he whacked his tendon and had to have another three months off.
“To cope with all those problems and make it back to the track and winning races shows how tough he is.”
