| Outstanding sprinting mare Charm Stone added a second elite win to her impressive race record when she led home a Magic Millions 1-2-3 in Friday night’s $2 million Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. |
| The five-year-old by I Am Invincible, sent out a $31 chance with bookmakers, made it back to back Group One wins when first up with her dashing two length success. She was able to sprint clear of last start Group One Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel in the straight, while another multiple Group One winner Magic Time was a neck back in third place. All three placegetters are Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduates. Charm Stone is prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr and tonight’s win saw her prizemoney soar past $2.5 million from just 13 starts. “It worked out good,” a beaming Mick Price said post race. “She can be a bit funny in the gates. Chain on, walk in, give her a pat. It worked out perfectly.” “There was a little bit of speed in front of her, Blake got off the fence at the right time. She’s a beautiful mare and it’s so great to see her win another Group One.” “She’s a mare that needs the edge on her. I thought she was pretty right when we ran her in The Goodwood last preparation, but she said ‘no I’m not very right’ and got out the back. She’s not a mare that I would back up.” “She never put a foot wrong (in her preparation).” “We had the data, and my data friend Michael Kent Jnr, he’s a great help. I’ve got to thank all the staff,” Price added. “They’re all fantastic people.” The win was the second at Group One level for Charm Stone in three runs since her gallant second in January’s $2 million Magic Millions Cup (RL) at the Gold Coast. Charm Stone was partnered tonight by Blake Shinn and the win provided the best possible result for the hoop on his birthday. “Pretty special day to be able to celebrate a Group One,” Shinn said. “Wow, time-honored race the Manikato. It’s wonderful to be able to win it.” “Just seeing Gary Willetts there brings back a lot of memories. So, it’s great to be able to win it.” “She was dominant. She pinged the lids, got a great trail and got out at the turn. She put the race to bed, it was a phenomenal win.” “We just had an open mind how to ride her. We had a discussion pre-race to jump positive, have a little bit of intent for the first fifty (metres), and then just play it by ear.” “Looking at her replay, she’s got very good gate speed and we wanted to utilise that, but then just ride the horse to run well.” “But when she landed there after 100 metres, the race just set up Baraqiel, outside leader Alabama Lass leading, and then she travelled lovely. So it was just a matter of trying to get off the rail, we did that, and she just quickened really well.” “She’s won at the track before, she handled it nicely. She worked good on Tuesday and she’s a great mare.” “Well done to Sheamus Mills and Heath Newton. They invest a lot in this game, and they really deserve a big result like this.” “You couldn’t put a figure on what she’d be worth as a broodmare, but it’s great for the breeding industry. It’s great for people who are investing in the game.” “It’s a great atmosphere here tonight. It’s nice to be able to win the big race. I’ve got my little nephew here, my brother, my partner,” Shinn summed up. “It’s a great moment, pretty special.” It is the third year in a row the Manikato Stakes was won by a Magic Millions sold runner – following on from Southport Tycoon last year and champion sprinter Imperatriz in 2023. Charm Stone, by Yarraman Park Stud’s sire sensation I Am Invincible, was bred by Emirates Park and sold through their draft to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock for $1.55 million at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The winner is from the incredibly talented and untapped Northern Meteor mare Najoom – who was short priced favourite for the Stradbroke Handicap after brilliantly winning the Fred Best Classic at Group Three level at her final start. A start earlier she had won the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas. Unfortunately when injury curtailed her race career she had notched five wins and two seconds from just seven starts. While Najoom sadly didn’t get to show her ceiling on the track, her efforts as a broodmare have catapulted her to the elite level. Another of her daughters Najmaty is a Melbourne and Brisbane stakes winner – one of five winners from five to race for Najoom. Charm Stone was one of four Magic Millions graduates to win on the Group One card – the others included Group winners West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) and Snow Mercy (Toronado). Winner: Charm Stone Breeding: I Am Invincible-Najoom (Northern Meteor) Race: MVRC Manikato Stakes G1 (1200m) Sold for: $1,550,000 Sale: 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Earnings: $2,556,775 Breeder: Emirates Park Pty Ltd Vendor: Emirates Park Buyer: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Owners: Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Ladies (Mgr: Mrs M Mills), Newton Ladies (Mgr: Mrs A C Newton), Nunya Racing (Mgr: Mrs M Keast) & Yu Long Investments Trainers: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr (Cranbourne) |
