Husson Eagle will head to the 2017 Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast in January after she returned to the races with an impressive victory in the Doveton Stakes at Ladbrokes Park this afternoon.
Husson Eagle got the job done in impressive fashion in the Doveton Stakes. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Miss Promiscuity took up the running in the early stages of the race and kicked clear at the top of the straight, but jockey Michelle Payne timed her ride to perfection in the Doveton Stakes and Husson Eagle finished over the top of her rival to return to winning form.
Payne has had a successful relationship with Husson Eagle throughout his racing career and the Melbourne Cup winning hoop was delighted to be able to partner the Husson gelding for another black-type race win.
“He is a beautiful little horse,” Payne said.
“He won the Gold Coast Magic Millions earlier this year and now he has come out and done that today.
“He gives you 120 percent every time that he goes out there and I am just so wrapped to get the job done for Patrick.
“I am really proud of this little horse.”
Co-owner Joe O’Neill revealed after the race that it was a long-term plan to set Husson Eagle for the Doveton Stakes first-up and he was clearly thrilled to see that planning come off.
O’Neill confirmed that Husson Eagle will have two more race starts before he defends his title in the $1 million Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast on January 7 and he is hopeful that the five-year-old will be able to crack the $1 million prizemoney mark.
“We hatched a plan five months ago that we would start him off here, give him two more runs and then into the Magic Millions Sprint, which he won last year,” O’Neill said.
“It is a fantastic training performance from Paddy.
“He told me that he was going to go well and we thought that he was the best horse in the race.
“Michelle knows the horse really well and she won the $1 million race for us early in the year.
“She has had a really tough year, she has come back from serious injury and my hat goes off to her.
“She is a tough lady and she is a wonderful ambassador for our sport.”
Miss Promiscuity toughed it out on the speed to finish a game second, while pre-race favourite O’Malley was never able to get into the race after being settled at the tail of the field.
