Robert Heathcote & Martin Harley have combined with Abounding (+600) to claim their maiden Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, with their three-year-old filly defeating Sovereign Fund (+3300) and Flying Trapeze (+5000).
Before the race actually got underway, there was drama in the barriers as the John O'Shea-trained Sydney Bowler got himself cast in the gates and the runners were returned to the mounting yard for a lengthy period of time.
Fortunately for connections, it appears as though Sydney Bowler will come through it fine and will head off to the vet to spend the night as a precaution.
However, once the horses returned to the racetrack over an hour late, and the gates opened, it was Defiant Spirit (+2500) and Royal Tribute (+700) who set a hot tempo out in front, which set the race up for the swoopers.
There was a little scrimmage on the home turn, which saw the race favourite Chrysaor (+320) and a few of the favoured runners knocked around but it didn't stop Harley and his mount, as the daughter of Rich Enuff pushed her way into the clear at the 250m mark.
Once Harley pushed the button on his filly, she let down with her customary finishing burst and claimed Sovereign Fund in the final 50m to win by a long neck on the line.
Not only will Abounding's connections take home the the $1.7 million winners cheque, they will have to weigh up whether the filly will go to the All-Star Mile, as the Guineas was a qualifier for the $5 million race at Caulfield in March.
2024 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas Replay – Abounding | T: Robert Heathcote |J: Martin Harley
Robert Heathcote was very pleased with the win of his star filly, and Martin Harley's ride post-race.
“It's a very special achievement,” Heathcote said of the win.
“Martin, you wanted to say thank you to me, well thank you to you mate, you gave her a pearler.
“You call it determination, but she has got a lot of crankiness in her and that what makes her a really good filly.
“She's taken me to a level… I've had some wonderful horses in my career and I have been so lucky, I always seem to get another good one coming through.”
The win on Abounding was Martin Harley's first at the Magic Millions Carnival, and he spoke about the trials and tribulations that he went through to get back to this year's edition of the meeting.
“Unbelievable! This time last year, four days away from the Magic Millions I broke my neck, so by god someone was up there looking down on me,” Harley said.
“It was nice to get a bit of redemption.
“Obviously with the delay and everything, everyone had to cope with it, not just me but everyone else and her.
“We got a lovely split into the straight, and by god she has a heart of gold.”