Sebring Stayers Quinella $1million Magic Millions Trophy
For a Golden Slipper winner, Sebring sure does get some versatile progeny and featured early on Magic Millions Day at the Gold Coast when siring the quinella in the $1million Magic Millions Trophy (2400m) with Primitivo defeating Black on Gold.
Champion jockey Glen Boss, who won The Everest and Golden Eagle last year, replaced James McDonald aboard the five-year-old when the latter couldn’t make the 54kg handicap and proved an inspired choice by trainer John Thompson.
The son of Sebring was given an economical run along the fence before busting into clear running at the top of the straight and putting a margin on his rivals to win by nearly two lengths.
“I was happy to take the ride because it looked like John Thompson had really set him for this race, he had two runs leading into it and he knew he had a very clean winded horse that didn’t need a lot of work to get here,” Boss said.
“We had a beautiful run, we were probably sixth the fence most of the way and we got out at the right time to give him the room.”
“I knew The Candy Man would be coming but he had 60kg so he wasn’t going to accelerate like the horses with 54kg so I thought I’d get going really early on this bloke because I know he can stick on and make them chase me.”
Purchased for $105,000 by DGR Thoroughbred Services out of the Turangga Farm draft at 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Primitive has now won four races and banked more than $800,000 in prizemoney for connections.
Thompson deflected praise from his training efforts, preferring instead to highlight the efforts of his horse and his jockey.
“It wasn’t conventional (to run over 2400m third-up) but he’s a horse that goes good on the fresh side and he’s very clean winded,” Thompson said.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Bossy, that was an 11 out of 10 ride.”
“I’ve got a couple (of yearlings) at the sale, I actually bought another Sebring like this bloke.”
Thompson purchased a Sebring colt from Emperossa from the Rushton Park draft for $70,000.
Bred by Stuart Ramsey of Turangga Farm, Primitivo is the best of four winners from imported Classic Quest (USA).
