Will Freedman was full of praise for Bon Ho after the January 19 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas after the famous Hong Kong-based owner fashion legend delivered a somewhat uncomfortable victory in the Gold Coast competition.
What an ending!@JoshuaParr8 with a peach on board the Fashion Legend causing a boil in @mmsnippets 3YO Guineas cho @willfreedman and @R1CHARDfreeman partnership! pic.twitter.com/hj6tWLEHLH
– Racing in the sky (@SkyRacingAU) January 19, 2023
Newgate Farm stallion’s son Deep field entered the race after a winning hat-trick, with the latecomer in the Vo Rogue Plate (G3) at Doomben on New Year’s Eve, beating Multi-Bean Count (AUS) with a head.
Kicked off the field with a AU$21 chance to jump from the 14th fence, the sleigh coached by Richard and Will Freedman was ridden by Josh Parr and showed up late to narrowly deny the favorite yellow brick by a neck with a head farther back hell me in third place, taking his overall record to five wins from eight starting with prize money now reaching AU$1.45 million.
“He gave me confidence,” said Freedman of Ho, who has set a goal of renewing The Everest at Randwick in 2020 with classic legend.
“This was the first horse I ever bought and I sent him an email saying I was a struggling Scone trainer and I needed some horses.
“He said, ‘I like your sound,’ and he let me play. Now I’ve won the Magic Millions Guineas. I know pool 1 is everything, but he put a lot of money into it.
“I’m particularly pleased with Bon Ho. He’s a great supporter of Australian motorsport and he’s always expected results like this.
“He never pressures you but they are also the ones who pressure you the most because they want results.
“I never thought I would be speechless. That’s not a trait that the Freedmans have a lot. We think he’s in good form and he sits three rounds wide without a cover. He just was a tough, honest horse and I couldn’t believe it.”
A purchase of AU$260,000 (US$202,255) at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for the Rosemont Stud Out-of-Draft Lake, Fashion Legend was bred by this breed and was the second winner. among the winners Outperform and Excel mare Sarong, half-sister to group 1 Fashions Afield double winner and Runway Star 3 group scorer.
Gollan doubles on magic day
Tony Gollan is back on the scoreboard once again after joining the Magic Million 2YO Classic with Law Dress in the final race on the cards as Queensland’s top coach wins the Magic Millions Cup with a AU$21 chance Vinco.
Ben Thompson celebrates on board the Vinco after the couple won the Magic Millions Cup
Benefit from the daring journey of Ben Thompson, the 6-year-old son of I am invincible knocks out his 12 opponents and continues to be under intense pressure to beat the favorites AU$3.60 Oscar Zulu equal to three-quarters of the length, with one end turned back holy school on Tuesday, ending a magical day for trainers at Eagle Farm.
A quickly completed Vinco ends a great day for @tonygollan inside @mmsnippets Cup! @BenThompson2102 gives gelding a great ride to end the day. pic.twitter.com/DQ7kB1MWix
– Racing in the sky (@SkyRacingAU) January 19, 2023
“It was a great day,” said Gollan. “The excitement of coming early is unbelievable and to have such a thrill at the beginning of the day makes things difficult. It’s a great end to a brilliant day.”
It was an overdue success for Thompson, who was nearly beaten aboard the Yellow Brick in Magic Millions 3YO Guineas earlier in the day.
“It’s bittersweet because I’ve ridden Fashion Legend on his last two starts and I’ve only missed one neck, but that’s all it takes.
“However, riding a winner is hard enough and I’m lucky to have a winner today (because) they’re not easy to get.
“A big thank you to Tony Gollan. He’s been a great supporter of mine and just getting the winner on these big days when the country’s best riders are in town is the thing. wonderful.”
Bred by Yarraman Park, Vinco is a half-brother to Berimbau, who placed 2nd in the group, the dam of the New Zealand-based mare Imperatriz, the winner of the group of 3. He was the last pony of the winning Encosta de Lago mare Percussive, who died in 2016.
Vinco is the third Magic Millions winner of the day to be bred and sold by Yarraman Park alongside the winner of the Magic Millions Sprint King of Sparta and Magic Millions Syndicate scorer central fire.
