Jet Flies In Millions Lead Up

Pepper Jet will head to the $2 million BMW Magic Millions 2YO Classic with an unbeaten record after winning in impressive style at the Gold Coast today.

Prepared by top Brisbane horseman Liam Birchley, Pepper Jet got through the slow track conditions well and cruised home in a stylish performance.

“It was a nice win and he’ll head to the Magic Millions (2YO Classic) now,” Birchley said.

“He did a lot wrong at his first start and he was much better today.”

“He’s always shown a lot of ability and he should be suited by the 1200 metres in the Magic Millions.”

“He’d be one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had,” Birchley summed up.

Birchley, through the Aquanita Racing banner, purchased Pepper Jet for $80,000 from the draft of Glenlogan Park at the 2010 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He burst onto the scene recently when on debut he appeared green but still demoralised his rivals at the Sunshine Coast.

He showed good natural improvement again today and will now head to Queensland’s richest race with two wins from as many starts.

Winning rider Damian Browne described Pepper Jet as a “very exciting horse.”

Pepper Jet is son of Glenlogan Park based sire Jet Spur – a former top sprinting son of Flying Spur.

His dam Athenee Francais was unraced and is a daughter of the champion international sire Sadler’s Wells.

Her dam in turn is from a Nureyev sister to champion mare Miesque – the dam of stars East of the Moon, Kingmambo and Miesque’s Son.

Glenlogan Park has a draft of 23 yearlings for the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale – eight of them by Jet Spur.

Earlier Kate’s Message staked early claims for the Queensland Oaks with a strong win in the $100,000 Starcraft Quality (2200m) on the same card.

The daughter of Greenwood Lake cruised home to beat Princess Forse by a length and three quarters, while Always Loyal was another length back in third place.

A $100,000 purchase from the 2009 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Kate’s Message is the first winner for her dam Betty Blockbuster – an unraced full sister to Group One winner Inaflury.

Trainer Kelly Schweida said Kate’s Message would be set at the Group One Queensland Oaks in the Winter Carnival.

“She might have another run or two this preparation,” Schweida said. “But we’ll look at the Oaks in the winter.”

Kate’s Message is a graduate of Queensland’s Racetree operation – they have a six horse draft heading to the 2011 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

PICS – Dan Costello.