Le Chef completed a unique Magic Millions trifecta for Testa Rossa with a resounding victory in the Gold Coast 2YO Classic (1200m) on Saturday.
Le Chef (2g Exceed And Excel – Red For Lou by Testa Rossa) kept his unbeaten record intact with a well-timed finish to land the $2 million event by three-quarters of a length over Pepperano.
Testa Rossa launched his own Group 1 winning career with a four-length victory in the 1999 Magic Millions Classic and he sired class colt Unencumbered to win the 2014 Classic.
The Vinery Stud stallion continued his special connection with the race as the damsire of this year’s winner.
Le Chef was the toast of the Gold Coast when he stormed home to land a lucrative purse for Mt Isa owner Lenore Saunders. He also banked a $325,000 bonus as the first female-owner runner across the line.
Saunders bought him for $120,000 at last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale. “He’s just a tough little horse,” jockey Luke Tarrant said. “He’s improved with every run and went through the gap like he’s been doing it all his life.”
Winning trainer Darryl Hansen will confer with Saunders before deciding future plans for Le Chef following a spell. “I had to give him a few quick runs but he’s taken it all in his stride. I told Lenore he will be a much better three-year-old.”
The winner’s dam Red for Lou is owned by South Australian breeder Greg Hicks. The Testa Rossa mare was a quality galloper winning twice at Flemington and she was also Group 1 placed in the 2007 Myer Classic at headquarters behind Divine Madonna.
Red for Lou was from Testa Rossa’s first crop and among his latest yearlings were several six-figure graduates of last week’s Magic Millions Sale. The Testa Rossa brother to Perth stakes winner Testamezzo was best-priced at $220,000 when snapped up by WA trainer Neville Parnham.
