The John O’Shea-trained filly Hoss Amor entered Magic Millions Classic calculations with a strong win in the poignant lead up, the $200,000 Wyong Magic Million Stakes (1100m) today.
The brown filly was the horse offered in a Sky racing/TAB NSW competition and named after racing journo Andrew ‘Hoss’ Bensley – it has many owners headed by Champion Thoroughbreds.
Bookmakers acted swiftly to the victory twitching her price from $41 to $9 for the $2m Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14.
Hoss Amor now gains automatically entrance to the Classic, the same route taken by last year’s winner Karuta Queen.
The daughter of General Nediym and With Love was purchased at the 2011 Magic Millions January sale for $100,000 which she repaid with bonus by collecting $130,000.
Ridden by Brenton Avdulla, as much as anything, Hoss Amour did everything right.
She settled well in fourth place and while others were impeded by greenness, she ran straight to the line.
The field was led by Little Critter with Hidden Warrior on its outside.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Burning Sails was caught three wide without cover.
Its chances were ruined when it ran off at the home turn.
Hidden Warrior took over in the straight as Little Critter hit a flat spot.
Hoss Amor on the back of the new leader was further aided when Hidden Warrior hung in up the straight.
The pleasing part about Hoss Amor’s effort was her final 100m.
She appeared to hit the line strongly and the extra 100m of the Classic appears well in reach.
Hoss Amor certainly has the pedigree to win the Magic Millions Classic.
General Nediym won the Magic Millions Classic in 1997 and sired Military Rose to win it in 2010.
Her dam With Love is from Loving Cup who finished third in the 1992 Golden Slipper behind Burst.
Hidden Warrior picked up $40,000 in prizemoney for running second.
It will get him into the Classic but the 1200m is certainly a query for the Hidden Dragon gelding.
Little Critter was working back into the race in the final stages and one suspects will benefit from his first run in eight weeks.
Avdulla will maintain the ride on Hoss Amor in the Classic.
“She will improve on today’s run for sure,” Avdulla said.
O’Shea was pleased and excited by the win.
“She’s got a good bit of ability,” he said.
“Brenton rode her beautifully.
“She got a little lost up the running but she’s got a lovely action and did a great job.
“It’s pretty exciting.”
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | HOSS AMOR | John O’Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 6 | 54.5kg | $19 | |
| 2 | 2 | HIDDEN WARRIOR | Paul Perry | Christian Reith | 0.3L | 9 | 56.5kg | $3.20F |
| 3 | 7 | DEAR DEMI | Clarry Conners | Corey Brown | 1.8L | 1 | 54.5kg | $6 |
| 4 | 1 | LITTLE CRITTER | Tony McEvoy | Glyn Schofield | 4L | 2 | 56.5kg | $4.80 |
| 5 | 3 | BURNING SAILS | Gai Waterhouse | Nash Rawiller | 4.4L | 8 | 56.5kg | $8.50 |
| 6 | 5 | HOFFENHORRY | Gregory Mcfarlane | Chris Munce | 4.5L | 4 | 56.5kg | $4.40 |
| 7 | 4 | HERE COMES THE SUN | Gregory Mcfarlane | Kerrin McEvoy | 5.8L | 7 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 8 | 6 | MARDONIUS | Gerald Ryan | Josh Adams (a) | 6.4L | 5 | 56.5kg | $51 |
| 9 | 10 | LADY IN CHARGE | Anthony Cummings | Peter Robl | 8L | 3 | 54.5kg | $31 |
| 8 | SHAMROCK SLIPPER | Liam Birchley | scr | 0 |
