Rising QLD star Magistrate has blitzed the field to claim today’s regional final of the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase (MDC) at Casino.
Beginning from Box 7, the $2.40 favourite began like a bullet and surged across the face of the field to quickly find the front. Once on the arm, he shot away from the chasing pack, clocking some impressive sectionals on his way to a 6.25 length win in a slick time of 27.22.
“Wow…well, he got over no worries,” trainer Greg Stella mused after earlier in the day questioning whether the Group 3 winner could lead from the wide draw.
“I just thought it would be tough getting across from out there. He jumped from Box 8 last week in the heats and got held out but he’s got a touch of class this guy and it’s a real thrill to have qualified for the semi-finals of such a race. He deserves his chance.”
The son of Fernando Bale producing one of the quickest times seen at the Casino circuit this year, with his 14.91 run home time coming after he ran 12.31 to the back mark.
“Some people at the track said the time was very quick and apparently no dog has run that fast for a little while,” Stella added.
“I gave him a solo trial a few weeks ago and he went 27.42 which I thought was good. In this type of race, you’re never overconfident. We would have been happy just to qualify, so it was great to watch, that’s for sure.”
Magistrate leading the field a merry dance in the Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase regional final at Casino. Photo by Lisa Vanderstok
“I’m 60-years-old and have been training dogs all my life and I still get a thrill winning races. He’s a great little dog and if I ever stop feeling like this, maybe it’s time to give it away because that was fantastic.”
Connections already eyeing off a few trips to Wentworth Park to ready their charge for the semi-finals of the MDC on October 6.
“The plan is to trial him and give him a race start in a midweek meeting if possible before we go into the semi-finals. We need to give him the best chance of winning because the bookmakers will lay a lot of the visitors and rightly so,” Stella said.
“I’ve watched a lot of top liners go to Wenty Park and have trouble. Aston Rupee and Wow She’s Fast for example are two of the best in recent times and both didn't make their mark in Sydney. He’s not at their level but we need to do everything we can do to give him the best chance of success.”
Magic Secret for Barbara Beach and the Karl Miller-trained Kingsbrae Boo finished second and third respectively in the Casino regional final and have also qualified for the next stage of the series.
(L-R) Magistrate with Greg Stella, Magic Secret with Barbara Beach and Kingsbrae Boo with Karl Miller. Photo by Lisa Vanderstok
“Me and my husband Michael are just hobby trainers and to think a million dollars is only two wins away now, it’s pretty exciting stuff,” Beach said.
“She [Magic Secret] did really well today, she tried her little heart out after getting a check at the start, but she just kept on going. We know it’ll be tough from here but we’ve got a chance and it’s all a big thrill.”
“I haven’t been to Wentworth Park for probably 20-years. I’ve never had a dog capable of running at Wenty but this girl might be different. She’s never had a 520m so we’ll take her down for a few trials and give her the best shot we can.”
The semi-finals of the 2023 Ladbrokes Million Dollar Chase will be held at Wentworth Park on October 6. The final will be run on October 13.
