Autumn Beckons For Magic Millions F & M Handicap Winner I Am Zelady

Joe Pride will look towards the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival with I Am Zelady after she recorded a classy victory in the 2016 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap at the Gold Coast this afternoon.

I Am Zelady took out the 2016 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap in impressive fashion at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

I Am Zelady took out the 2016 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap in impressive fashion at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

I Am Zelady was beaten as a short-price favourite in the Cellarbrations Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 19 and she was a drifted in the lead-up to the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap, but she found the line strongly in the final stages of the $1 million event and proved far too good for her rivals.

Jockey Tim Clark gave I Am Zelady a gun ride in transit and he revealed after the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Handicap that he was always confident the daughter of I Am Invincible would bounce back to her best this afternoon.

“She got beaten the other day, but when I got off her I said to Joe that I reckon she can still win the Magic Millions,” Clark said.

“She was up in trip quick and just got tired late with her weight the other day, but she came back 50 metres today, dropped a lot in weight, got the perfect run and at the 600 it was race over.”

Joe Pride was a later arrival at the Gold Coast this afternoon following his big day at Gosford yesterday – where he took out the Gosford Cup with Destiny’s Kiss and the Belle Of The Turf Stakes with Ammirata – but he was delighted to see I Am Zelady return to winning form.

Pride confirmed that I Am Zelady will now head for a stint in the spelling paddock before she is given an opportunity at Group level during the 2016 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

“It was a fantastic result and a great ride from Tim,” Pride said.

“It was his only ride of the day and you have to come up for these rides – he could ride the whole card at Canterbury today and not come away with that much.

“She is a lovely mare and the autumn carnival beckons for her now.

“I wouldn’t be giving her another run before then, she is a nice mare and she will win Group races.

“She has a lovely turn-of-foot on her and the 1300 was perfect for her today.”

Private Secretary looked to be bolting at the top of the straight, but she died on her run in the final 100 metres and could finish no better than second.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.