NEWS RELEASE
AUGUSTA PROUD TAKES THE SPOILS IN THE 2008 CONRAD JUPITERS MAGIC MILLIONS TWO YEAR OLD
FIRST FEMALE JOCKEY TO CLAIM COAST’S PREMIER RACE
DATE RELEASED: MONDAY 24th MARCH 2008
IN one of the great runs in Magic Millions history, South Australian raider Augusta Proud has romped home to win today’s $1.5 million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 2YO Classic at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
And Adelaide jockey Clare Lindop made sure history was truly being written at the Gold Coast racecourse by being the first female jockey to salute in the Classic.
One of the most open Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions Classics betting-wise was a hard fought affair.
After flying out of the barriers with fellow fancy Blank Minx, Augusta Proud settled in the middle of the field before producing a blistering inside run to pip the Gai Waterhouse-trained She’s Meaner and local hope High Roll’n Woman (Alan Bailey) in the shadows of the post.
The Leon MacDonald-trained South Australian speedster covered the 1200 metre distance on a brilliantly prepared track in a time of 1:09:40 – its effort in making up three lengths on the field in the final 200 metres bringing the Easter Monday crowd to its feet.
Earlier in the meeting Heart of the Citi took out the $1million Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions 3YO Trophy, giving trainer Pat Duff and top jockey Brad Pengelly their first Magic Millions victory together.
Jumping wide from barrier 14, Heart of the Citi hit early traffic before finding a clear run half way down the main straight to score an emphatic victory in a time of 1:21:93 – the final 600 metres covered in 35:19.
Windshear (Stephen Baster) and hot favourite Absolut Glam (Steven King) filled the minor placings.
It was a day of top racing and high glamour and Gold Coast Turf Club Chief Executive, Grant Sheather, said the Club was ecstatic with today’s event.
“It’s been an enormously tough eight months or so for our club, and the Australian thoroughbred racing industry in general, and it’s just fantastic the way the carnival is going,” Mr Sheather said.
“We could never be sure how the Easter scheduling would affect things this year, but the fact that so many people from all over the world are here in such great numbers to support it certainly says something for the resilience of the carnival and the Magic Millions brand.
“Logistically, our traffic and parking arrangements worked a treat, the catering was spot on and overall patron comfort was very high.
“It was also a very safe day for our crowd with an increased police and security presence and CCTV cameras keeping a close eye on things,” he said.
Turf Club Chairman, Hoss Heinrich, thanked the Gold Coast community for backing today’s event.
“Today was magnificent and sincere congratulations must go to everyone involved in delivering what must go down as one of the best race days we have ever presented on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of how the racing community came together as one after all the equine flu heartbreak and today really is a tribute to their efforts in getting racing literally back on track.
Mr Heinrich said the Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions remains the ‘standout performer’ on the Queensland racing calendar.
And while the stakes were high on the track, they were also up there in the MYER Fashions on the Field with Emily Hall (19) from Bundall taking out the Best Dressed Female category in a subtle black and white design she put together as “a bit of fun”.
Chermiside’s Ashleigh Robson (20) wore a feather hat designed and hand made by her grandmother to take out the Most Fashionable Hat category, while the Best Dressed Man on course was male model Kent Chambers (22) from Main Beach who chose an Italian-inspired striped look to catch the judge’s eyes.
The next major race day is Ladies Day this coming Saturday 29th March.
People wanting further information on the 2008 Conrad Jupiters Magic Millions racing can call the Gold Coast Turf Club on 07 5538 1599 or visit www.goldcoastturf.com.au
Those wanting information on the yearling sales can call 1300 MILLIONS or visit www.magicmillions.com.au
ENDS
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