Two-year-old fillies can be notoriously finicky eaters but central Queensland trainer Tony McMahon has the opposite problem with unbeaten Paradis Imperial.
The youngster will be attempting to make it five wins from five starts when she contests the QTIS Two-Year-Old (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Paradis Imperial started $17 on debut at Rockhampton when trained by Lyle Rowe, but has since won three on end at Rockhampton and Mackay for McMahon at short odds.
The trainer said he could not help but be impressed with Paradis Imperial’s toughness and attitude.
“She eats four meals a day. Basically we keep her in a yard at our property between track work and racing,” McMahon said.
McMahon mixed calling races with being a racing journalist for 43 years and still keeps his hand in at country meetings.
“I called my last race at Mackay in 2013 but I still call country race meetings. In fact I called at Calliope (in central Queensland) last week,” McMahon said.
“I enjoy it because you can have a bit more fun than if you are on radio.”
McMahon, who has five fillies on his property just outside Rockhampton, bought Paradis Imperial for $9000 and she has already returned $103,000 in prize money and QTIS bonus payments.
“I had to have an operation after I bought her and sent her to a good friend of mine, trainer Lyle Rowe,” McMahon said.
“Lyle is well known for his ability with two-year-olds and he was able to win first-up with her.
“Since I got her back she has won three races and she deserves a trip south.”
McMahon will send Paradis Imperial to Brisbane on Thursday night in an attempt to beat the hot conditions which have hit Queensland.
“She handled the trip to Mackay well and it isn’t that much further to Brisbane,” he said.
Paradis Imperial is the first winner for former handy sprinter turned sire Instinction who has had only a handful of horses to race.
A son of Group One-winning sprinter Exceed And Excel, Instinction won three Listed races in Victoria for trainer Mick Price.
“He stands for only $5500 but his horses are all showing ability and he is a perfect QTIS stallion,” McMahon said.
