After a total of five scratchings from the Magic Millions Stayers Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast on Saturday all remaining emergencies made it onto the final field for the $200,000 race.
Tinto won the Magic Millions Stayers Cup at the Gold Coast despite carrying the top weight of 59kg. Photo by Steve Hart.
The Rex Lipp-trained Tinto was the topweight, carrying a hefty 59kg as she jumped from the outside gate. The four-year-old mare made her way over to fifth position, one off the rails with 1300 metres to go.
As what happened in the first race (Magic Millions Maiden Plate), the field didn’t really kick off until roughly the final 600 metres, which could be due to the soft track at the Gold Coast today.
Tony Gollan’s Tornado Miss led with 400 metres to go before Tinto left the rails to look for her way through. She drove through in the closing moments to take the lead and win one and a half lengths from Toby Edmond’s Our Boy Nicholas while Off The Rails managed to finish third in a photo ahead of Danas Best.
Hoop Timothy Bell delivered a cracking ride aboard Tinto after winning the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1625m) in December.
“Things normally don’t go to plan but that went exactly how I wanted,” he said.
“It was good to see something pay off and credit to the horse, she’s an absolute gem.
“She began well so I gave her a little squeeze but I was just trying to figure out what Tommy (Berry) was going to do on Danas Best for the first 150 metres.
“Once I came back I was going to hold him in a three wide position but I was on the back of one that couldn’t get me where I wanted to, so I let Tommy come back in and utilised his mount to be where I wanted to be.
“I got on his back, found the right run and Tinto led down like the horse she is, carrying 59kg she deserves every bit of credit.”
Race favourite Amovatio never even registered, finishing in fifth place.
The mare previously won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) in May last year but we can expect to see much more from Tinto in the upcoming carnivals. The classy horse could easily win Group Three-Two races over a mile and a quarter, including the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) on June 6.
