Saturday, January 4, 2020 | Dedicated to the Australasian bloodstock industry - subscribe for free: Click here DURDENS MAKE MOST OF SMALL TEAM FROM THEIR COASTAL TRAINING BASE - PAGE 7 Deep Field colt ready for What's on Gold Nugget challenge in Stakes races: Ascot (WA) - Perth Cup (Gr 2, 2400m), La Trice Classic (Gr 3, 1800m), bid for Magic Millions berth Summer Scorcher (Listed, 1000m). Launceston (TAS) - Tasmanian Guineas Dunn launching assault on $125,000 race with last-start (Listed, 1600m), Tasmanian Stakes (Listed Murwillumbah winner 1600m), Awapuni (NZ) - Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m) Metropolitan meetings: Kensington (NSW), Caulfield (VIC), Gold Coast (QLD), Ascot (WA), Gawler (SA), Launceston (TAS), Darwin (NT), Awapuni (NZ). Race meetings: Tumut (NSW), Wyong (NSW), Wangaratta (VIC), Innisfail (QLD), Kilcoy (QLD), Ruakaka (NZ) all along with the Magic Millions in mind,” Verbal Assault, pictured as a yearling MAGIC MILLIONS Dunn said. the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, “The whole idea was to go across the road BY SCOTT SANBROOK | @ANZ_NEWS 1200m) on January 11. (at Murwillumbah) so he was not overtaxed peedster Verbal Assault (Deep Verbal Assault is currently equal 49th in the first-up and then space his races into the Gold Field) has the class to take a order of entry for the juvenile feature and needs Nugget the week before the Millions. quantum leap towards a Magic to collect the $72,500 winner’s cheque in today’s “He was really impressive on debut and if he Millions berth by winning the colts and geldings division to ensure a start. can get the cash at his second run he deserves $125,000S Gold Nugget (1100m) at the Gold The colt is facing a mammoth rise in grade his spot in the race. Continued on page 2>> Coast today. after his all-the-way win on debut in a four- RV ANNOUNCES $500,000 That is the firm belief of country NSW trainer runner field worth $22,000 at his home track of VOBIS SIRES GUINEAS Matt Dunn, who has meticulously mapped out Murwillumbah on December 13. MORNING BRIEF | PAGE 4 Verbal Assault’s campaign to culminate with “This is the direction we have been heading Follow us @anz_news: click here | 1 | Brought to you by Deep Field colt ready for Gold Nugget challenge in bid for Magic Millions berth | 2 | Saturday, January 4, 2020 << Continued from page 1 “He’s drawn wide (barrier 12) on Dark Son made an impact at his first run by leading all the way in Saturday but hopefully he has the speed to get across early for Hugh the Pat O’Shea 2YO Plate (1000m) at Toowoomba on September 28 (Bowman).” before finishing fifth at Eagle Farm on October 12 at his only subsequent Dunn combined with agent Neil Jenkinson to pick up Verbal Assault appearance. for $130,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. "If he runs in the Millions is all very good but there are a stack of other “He was on our list and we thought he was the right type of horse for races for him," co-trainer Tony Sears said. that money,” Dunn said. "But I do know you will see a far more mature horse. He was all over “Looking back he was a bargain... the way the Deep Field breed is the place with nerves when we took him to Brisbane in October and I going at the moment we would be very unlikely to get one for that price reckon that trip will have been a big benefit. this year. "He has had a couple of jump-outs and gone really well so he is ready “He has great strength - his physique is perfect for racing week-to- for Saturday." week, which is what we are hoping to do for the Magic Millions.” Better Than Ready was represented by four runners in last year’s Deep Field (Northern Meteor) is second only to Rubick (Encosta De edition of the 2YO Classic and has a strong hand in the Gold Pearl Lago) on the Australian second season sires list by prize-money, boasting 2YO Fillies (1100m) at the Gold Coast meeting today with debut two stakes winners and more than $2 million in stakes earnings. winner She’s A Tigress as well as first starters Better Rush and Miss Verbal Assault is from Words Are Weapons (Dubawi) and hails from Rhapsody. the family of Group 2 winner and Goodwood Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) Miss Rhapsody and Dark Son are stablemates at Toowoomba under placegetter Danabaa (Anabaa). the care of Sears and his daughter Maddysen. Dark Son will fly the flag for his boom Lyndhurst Stud-based sire Newgate Farm’s Deep Field, who is the leading second Better Than Ready (More Than Ready) in the Gold Nugget. season sire by winners, has 20 yearlings catalogued at the Magic The $130,000 purchase at the Magic Millions March sales also requires MIllions Gold Coast Yearling Sale while Better Than Ready, a win to push his way into the 2YO Classic field as he currently sits 29th second by the same measure on the sires’ premiership, has 12 in the ballot. lots on offer. 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale 95 C Astern - Arabian Night (GB) 234 C Capitalist - Delphic 255 C Exceed and Excel - Dream in Colour (GB) 297 C Not a Single Doubt - Fascination Street (NZ) 444 C Not a Single Doubt - Kissed by the Sun 469 F American Pharoah (USA) - Leamington (USA) 594 F Written Tycoon - Okaylah 639 C Snitzel - Piping Hot 690 C Medaglia d’Oro (USA) - Rock Candy 740 C American Pharoah (USA) - Sebring Sally 763 C Written Tycoon - She’s Got Power Scott Holcombe: 0452 213 762 919 F Astern - Lady Bligh [email protected] 1020 C Rubick - Zvezdy John Muir: 0418 232 546 Milburn Creek Office: 0248864024 | milburncreek.com.au 1041 C Divine Prophet - Bold Beginning Follow us @anz_news: click here | 2 | Brought to you by THEY’RE HERE! The STARS have arrived Inspect the first crop by the electrifying sprinter, STAR TURN 02 6543 8333 vinery.com.au Your Essential Read - Sponsored by Aquis | 4 | Saturday, January 4, 2020 youngster return to his best when he lines up Gold Coast should present no problems for him, AUSTRALIA in today’s Gold Nugget (1100m) at the Gold and he is a real trier.” RV announces $500,000 Coast. The colt needs to run first or second in VOBIS Sires Guineas the $125,000 contest to make the field for next Katy’s Daughter making Racing Victoria and Thoroughbred Breeders week’s $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic up for lost time Victoria yesterday announced the addition of (RL, 1200m), a race for which he was installed the $500,000 VOBIS Sires Guineas (1600m) to the as second favourite after winning at the same VOBIS Gold Premier Race Series open exclusively track on November 27. The Drinks Cart had to VOBIS Gold-nominated horses. To be run a slight setback before his next start when alongside the second edition of the $1 million fourth in a two-year-old handicap (1000m) The Showdown (1200m) on the Victorian Owners at Eagle Farm two weeks ago and co-trainer and Breeders Raceday at Caulfield on April 18, Toby Edmonds said he did not seem to handle the VOBIS Sires Guineas is open exclusively to the new surface at the Brisbane track. "He just the three-year-old progeny of Victorian stallions didn't stretch out like we know he can last time. and it is set to significantly enhance one of Back at the Gold Coast you will hopefully see a Katy's Daughter AAP Victorian racing’s premier off-season racedays. better horse on Saturday." “Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday has Steve O'Dea is looking forward to Katy's Daughter gone from strength to strength in recent years, Gap no obstacle (Epaulette) finally getting her chance at some and the addition of the VOBIS Sires Guineas will for Trevelyan Magic Millions glory. The four-year-old will be ensure that positive trend continues,” said Greg Co-trainer Chris Meagher has no qualms about making just her fifth start when she contests Carpenter, RV’s executive general manager of the three weeks between runs for in-form gelding today’s $250,000 Fillies and Mares Rising Stars racing. “No doubt buyers at the upcoming sales Trevelyan (Pierro) in the $250,000 The Wave (1300m) after an injury absence prevented her will be keeping a keen eye on any VOBIS yearlings (1800m) at the Gold Coast today. The four-year- taking her chance in the 2017 Magic Millions going through the ring, given the lucrative prize- old earned his chance at the race, which carries 2YO Classic. "Katy's Daughter looked like being money and bonuses on offer through the program a wild card into the Magic Millions Trophy my second Magic Millions Classic runner but it and the Premier Race Series.” (2400m), after two strong wins on his past two wasn't to be," O'Dea said. A $10,000 purchase at starts, including a Class 6 Plate (1600m) at Eagle the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Katy’s Gold Coast to suit Farm on December 14. "He seems to race best Daughter is by Group 1-winning sire Epaulette The Drinks Cart that way and we can keep him ticking over in the (Commands) and is out of the prolific producing Connections of The Drinks Cart lead-up to his races," Meagher said. "I know his mare Kiss Me Katy (Mull Of Kintyre).