Trainer Tony Gollan ended Magic Millions Day in style, taking home two of the major features, as Vinco caused an upset in the finale to win the Magic Millions Cup.
After moving to the final race of the card with the re-arranged schedule due to Saturday's postponement, the $1,000,000 Magic Millions Cup was a great way to end festivities as those that backed the outsider were rewarded with a big price with online bookmakers.
It was Queensland local trainer Tony Gollan's day, after seeing success earlier in the meeting with Skirt The Law taking out the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in stylish fashion.
Self-appointed ‘adopted Queenslander' Ben Thompson produced an outstanding ride on the six-year-old gelding, although it wasn't all smooth sailing if you backed Vinco.
The inside rail seemed to be considered the worst part of the going throughout the day but that didn't seem to worry Ben Thompson, who patiently sat in behind Love Tap early in the race, before spotting his only chance to swing up the inside of James McDonalds' mount Oscar Zulu. Tracking what looked to be a break-neck speed throughout the 1425m contest.
2023 Magic Millions Cup Replay – Vinco
Tony Gollan spoke about Vinco post-race and how crucial the upgrading of the surface throughout the week played into his galloper's hands, along with how exceptional the ride of Ben Thompson was.
“He was the one I was most concerned about when the track was wetter earlier in the week,” said Gollan.
“Even in the run, you were never going to be confident on him, he's a really hard horse to ride and Ben Thompson knows him well – he dared to go up the inside where no one's gone all day cause he needs a lot of room.
He was just terrific and a good solid win.”
When speaking about how his day unfolded with his filly Skirt The Law winning early in the day, Gollan was quite emotional.
“It's been an amazing day hasn't it really – the filly was unbelievable early and to have that sort of thrill that early in the day makes it hard to keep things rolling – I couldn't believe it when he (Vinco) got the inside, I really couldn't. It's just a great finish to what's been a brilliant day.
It meant a lot to me, coming here as a strapper for my dad and then get my own runners and never able to get a win – today I was quietly confident I had the right sort of horse, I guess you start to second guess yourself a little bit, but we stuck firm with our plan, and it worked well.”
Ben Thompson spoke with emotion post-race as well with an unlucky performance on Yellow Brick earlier in the day still on his mind.
“Unbelievable! I'm going to get emotional,” said Thompson
“He went so good Yellow Brick and unfortunate he's run into one better today. It's obviously bittersweet cause I've ridden Fashion Legend his last two starts and I was only wrong by a neck. He went super Yellow Brick.”
Then it was all about the winner Vinco and the occasion of winning on Magic Millions Day.
“Just to ride a winner it's hard enough and I'm fortunate to get plenty of rides today and they're not easy to come by.
Obliviously a huge thanks to Tony Gollan and his team, they've been a huge supporter of mine and just sticks with me, even on these big days when the best riders in the land are in town.
He's a horse I've had a lot to do with as well, it's my third win aboard him, he's a funny bugger, as soon as he hit the front he thought his job was done but the race just panned out so well.
I had beautiful run on the back of Love Tap – I just stayed in my lane, I've seen James McDonald zooming through on Oscar Zulu and I though that's me, and it was nice to get the better of Oscar Zulu late.
It's all pretty overwhelming.”