Stellar Magic will be set for a Stakes campaign at the Brisbane summer carnival after she defied a betting drift to win the Harvey Norman Queensland Hcp (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The chestnut daughter of Vinery sire Star Turn eased from $1.85 to $2.50 but was good enough to come from last to score in a three-way photo from Fierce Warrior (Better Than Ready) and Gemelon Bolt (Falvelon). Shouldering 59kg, she zoomed home quicker than the final 600m sectional of 33.82s.
Stellar Magic (3f Star Turn – Al’s Magic Miss by Magic Albert) was winning for the third time and has only been out of a place once in eight starts for trainers Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted. “She was giving weight to some nice horses but she’s a real trier and that gives her a competitive edge,” Hoysted said. “She’s a sweet filly around the stable but it’s always game on at the races. You would like the stable full of horses like her.
“She has a sensitive mouth and was eager to go faster today but Baylee (Nothdurft) handled the race perfectly. I don’t think 1200m will be a problem if she draws a gate and gets cover.”
Stellar Magic was bred and sold by Yarraman Park for $100,000 at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. “The Mitchells gave us a push into the filly and they kept a share with Proven Thoroughbreds,” Hoysted added. “She’s not eligible for the Magic Millions but there’s lots of other options.”
The Queensland calendar includes a trio of 3yo Listed races over 1200m before year’s end: Tatts Classic at the Gold Coast (November 27), Mode Stakes at Doomben (December 4) and Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm on December 18.
Nothdurft was also impressed back in the enclosure. “That awkward head-carriage makes it look like she hasn’t settled but she is actually containing herself. It was a super win.”
Star Turn leads the Australian second-season premierships for winners (14) and wins (19). Besides Stellar Magic, he was represented by NSW TAB winners Career Change and Impact Star last week and his Brisbane filly Miss Hipstar was a hard-held trial winner at Eagle Farm on Tuesday.
Miss Hipstar earned a black-type victory in the Dalrello Stakes LR during the Brisbane winter carnival and she won’t be long resuming for trainer Kelly Schweida ahead of a Magic Millions campaign that will climax on January 15.
Vinery stands Star Turn for a $16,500 (inc GST) service fee with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, please contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).
