Fairytales do come true. Trainer Indianna Weinert and jockey, Austin Galati, combined with progressive gelding Smooth Chino, to record their best-ever win in racing, taking home the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy. The son of Maschino, who keeps his perfect record intact at three, almost never made it to the races after a float mishap, arriving just 30 minutes before the race and never looked like winning when he was second-last to the turn, but surged strongly and sprouted wings late down the centre of the Pinjarra track.
TRAINER
A formidable combination they are. Father and son duo Sean and Jake Casey are building their feature race resume after Do I Feel Lucky won the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic. Another bound and a different result but take nothing away from the Dirty Work gelding who sped across from a wide barrier to lead and prevailed in a thriller over Perfectly Proper.
Michael Grantham’s yard is breathing fire. Five winners from eight runners this week. The latest Stormageddon who was not going to get beaten this time after luckless runs previously.
After a tough battle early on with her, Dan O’Connor is getting the returns with Chino La Diva. The daughter of Maschino has been up a long time but has hit her stride deep into her preparation. Does she go around one more time?
JOCKEY
Two weeks ago, Austin Galati celebrated his first Saturday win at Ascot, a fortnight later he leads home a Magic Millions winner. After years of hard work, perseverance, persistence and dedication, the rewards are finally arriving. His attitude and character have earned him the respect of his peers and wider racing community.
Chris Parnham got the day rolling on Chino La Diva, followed up on the dominant Rissoles and reached a peak with Do I Feel Lucky in the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic, his third successive win in the $250,000 feature.
HORSES TO FOLLOW
Perfectly Proper, Strideaway, Girls On Fire and Storm Away, the minor placegetters behind Do I Feel Lucky, are proper two-year-old’s moving forward to feature juvenile races in the autumn.
Like No Other is getting close, gave Chino La Diva a few heart palpitations late.
Missile Storm showed another dimension when coming home from last like a bullet.
Tough effort from Gage Roads who was forced to work hard and only cut down late. Doesn’t win out of turn, but ultra consistent.
Zephyra hit the line strongly first-up.
Improved effort at second WA start for Dan O’Connor’s eastern states recruit, Keep Reading
HARD LUCK STORY
Perfectly Proper lost the battle today but might win the war later on. Massive in defeat, picked up massive ground in the straight after racing tight.
The wide barrier didn’t assist Shmoov Mover.
Golden Dore went around for a run, held up the majority of the straight.
As is her want, London’s Image shifted out considerably in the straight when a gallant second in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy. A sensational five months of racing comes to an end, she’s off for a well-deserved spell. She’s largely put trainer Ryan Hill on the map as a trainer and her return will be eagerly anticipated.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Kings Salute stumbled passing the winning post, dislodging Brad Parnham who escaped serious injury but could not fulfill his remaining commitments including London’s Image and he won’t ride at Bunbury tomorrow (Sunday).
A bit went on pre-race for Bold Hero but after passing a vet test the fortunes didn’t get much better in the run.
FASTEST 600M
Keep Reading: 33.28secs.
