It was a disappointing result for punters in the Restricted Listed $2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) on Saturday with the favourite Isotope throwing her rider in the event eventually won in a runaway upset by the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Aim.
A recent dual Listed winner in Brisbane, Tony Gollan’s Deep Field filly Isotope was the short-priced fancy to take out the Guineas on Magic Millions Day.
She looked to be coming with the ideal run on the back of fellow filly, last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Away Game, on the straight before things went amiss.
Isotope seemed to clip heels with the horse in front, dislodging jockey Ryan Maloney who was unharmed as the filly went on to unofficially finish the race riderless.
While the drama unfolded hoop James McDonald – third in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the widely-drawn She’s All Class the race prior – was able to get up in a boilover aboard 30/1 pop Aim.
A promising juvenile early in his career, the son of Star Witness had lost his way recently and was originally sold and due to be sent to Hong Kong.
The sale fell through however and, in a silver lining for the Snowdens and connections, the newly gelded galloper came through with a bigger pay day taking out $1.16 million as the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas winner.
In second was fellow $31 outsider, the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Amish Boy crossing nearly two lengths back but still ahead of his shorter-priced stablemate, classy filly Away Game who was found out second-up at the 1400m.
“We were pretty confident,” co-trainer Paul Snowden told Thoroughbred Central post-win.
“He just needed to get back on firm going…and we kept running into wet tracks.
“He was a good class horse as a two-year-old.
“He’s back as a gelding this preparation and it’s good to bloody win one I tell you!”