Waterhouse Continues Magic Millions Success with Cup

The second last race of Magic Millions Race Day for 2015 is complete with Spurtonic delivering Gai Waterhouse success in the $400,000 Magic Millions Cup (1400m).

Race favourite Strawberry Boy was one of the first to come out of the gates from barrier one, leading from Saluter and Gundy Son once the field settled.

Spurtonic (inside, red cap) surges past Strawberry Boy (outside, blue cap) to win the Magic Millions Cup

Spurtonic (inside, red cap) surges past Strawberry Boy (outside, blue cap) to win the Magic Millions Cup. Photo by Steve Hart

It wasn’t until the final 200 metres that Strawberry Boy saw his lead taken from him as The Bowler and Driefontein came up the outside. With horses everywhere, Spurtonic delivered a surprise late burst of speed to cross the line ahead of Strawberry Boy and The Bowler in a photo finish.

Hoop Hugh Bowman delivered the winning ride, driving through after finding himself caught back on the inside – three to four horses off the fence.

“He trialed really well but I haven’t ridden him before,” the hoop said.

“I expected to be in the first two or three but I ended up in the second half of the field and the pressure was right on as it has been here all day.

“But this horse hit the line like no other.”

You can’t hold Waterhouse back on Magic Millions Race Day with a great record in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) as well as holding the trainer record in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m).

She had to wait almost all day but the leading trainer finally scored her win. However she was less confident about her win, at least until the concluding moments of the race.

“He’s only come right in the last week or so,” she said.

“He’s one of those funny horses that just takes his time.

“I was watching Hugh closely in the run and he only really got going in the last 150 metres but he flew to the post.”

Speculation has already begun about whether Waterhouse will take Spurtonic to the The Championships in Sydney during the autumn but the trainer remained tight-lipped about the gelding’s plans.

“I haven’t decided yet, today was D-Day and we’ll worry about it when we get back,” she concluded.

The Magic Millions Cup win is a great turn-around for Spurtonic who finished dead last in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) two starts ago.

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