The two-year-old chestnut filly Stella Magic continued her own good run of form while at the same time opening a new chapter in the career of jockey Baylee Nothdurft, who guided her to victory in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Fillies Handicap over 1000m at Eagle Farm.
Nothdurft had the daughter of Star Turn in the second half of the field, some six to seven lengths off the leader all the way until the field turned for home. Nothdurft then balanced his mount up nicely and still waited his turn, looking to make the most of Stella Magic’s acceleration by timing his challenge to a nicety.
Northdurft made his move approaching the 200m, angling into a gap between runners and giving Stella Magic the green light to go. The anticipated acceleration kicked into gear on cue, but there was still plenty of work to do as the $6.50 (Sportsbet) chance Invinsible Tears was now also in full flight ahead her, but Stella Magic knuckled down to the task with meaning and edged past the game Invinsible Tears when it mattered most to give the Steven O’Dea / Matt Hoysted trained runner her second success from only four starts. She, in fact, has yet to finish out of the first two places.
It has been more than five months since Baylee Nothdurft, last season’s Brisbane Jockey Premiership winner, rode a winner in town.
Nothdurft has been battling weight issues for some time and he decided to take a break to refresh and he was out of the saddle for four months in that self-imposed exile (from November 8, 2020 to March 6, 2021) so this win was very much confidence builder for the young man and it was fitting that the success came via an O’Dea / Hoysted runner as the stable has been a big supporter of Nothdurft since his comeback.
“It was probably not how we thought it would pan out,” said co-trainer Steven O’Dea, assessing the race. “She found herself a little bit further back than we anticipated.
‘We just wanted to come out quite on her. She obviously led in her last two runs and been very gawky in front … sort of wanting to prick her ears and clock off a little bit.
“It was good that Baylee was patient before he pressed the button with her because, even when she loomed up to the eventual second horse, she still wanted to have a bit of a think about it, but Baylee made her get on with it.
“She should get good confidence out of today and she is definitely going to be better suited when she gets over a little bit further.
“Baylee really deserves this. He has been working very hard … working for the stable and working on his weight .., and I hope he can kick off from this and get some support.
“It’s a pretty good feeling to be back winning races in town.” said Nothdurft.
“I came out neutral on her and she was relaxed and was perfect for the first 100m of the race, but then another horse crossed me and sort of came back in my face … so I don’t think it was entirely her fault that she got keen for a bit then.
“Because she did get keen, I was bit mindful not to just press the button when we straightened. I sort of tried to get her back in her rhythm and get her breathing well. When she did that and I pressed the button, she really sprinted quick.
“When she did hit the front she pricked her ears a bit and I said, ‘come on girl, don’t stop on me,’ but she did a good job
“She is a really nice filly and, once she puts it all together, I’m positive you’ll see her in the Winter Carnival.”
