Press Statement filly Newsreader picked the richest maiden on the calendar to open her winning account at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The Sydneysider (pictured) had been specifically set for the $250,000 the Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) and the mission was accomplished with a brilliant turn of foot for Brenton Avdulla.  She hit the line a hard-held, two length winner from Lady Of Luxury (Criterion) and Hey Big Splenda (Rich Enuff).

Newsreader (3f Press Statement – Thinking Of You by Thorn Park) settled three wide with cover before launching the furlong pole.  “Brenton got into a beautiful position and she was never going to get beaten from there,” trainer John O’Shea said.  “She’s a very fit filly and, once in the clear, she pinned her ears back and raced away.

“She finished fourth in a Listed race at Randwick and we gave her a couple of trials before coming up.  She can be a bit jittery but was well behaved behind the gates and down in the stalls so that gave us a bit of confidence.

“It’s been a fantastic week, it’s just a really good time of the year to be here,” O’Shea added.  “I’ve bought some beautiful horses and we’ve got some really excited clients.”

Champion Thoroughbreds purchased Newsreader for $170,000 from Yarraman Park at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale.  “She was correct with a strong hindquarter and a good walk,” Yarraman studmaster Harry Mitchell recalled.  “Not huge but built in a similar mould to Hinchinbrook.”

Press Statement is a son of Hinchinbrook who had died an all-too-young 10 year-old at Yarraman Park in July 2018.

Newsreader was bred by Ron & Rod Dufficy in partnership with Robert DeCourcy and is the 20th individual winner from Press Statement’s first crop at Vinery.  Her dam was Group 1 placed in a Flight Stakes behind First Seal and Winx!

Press Statement has two fillies and a colt catalogued for Book 2 of the Magic Millions Sale on Monday and there’s another 9 Press Statement yearlings entered for the Inglis Classic Sale commencing on Sunday, February 7.

The first Press Statement from Vinery (as agent) at Riverside Stables is Lot 5, the full-sister to last year’s Randwick juvenile winner Giovanna Run.