Sent off an odds-on favourite, Victorian visitor Madeenaty will head o the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14 with a favourite's chance after leading every step of the way in Thursday's $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO (1100m).
After beginning smartly, Mark Zahra let the daughter of Exceed And Excel ease her way to the front.
Kicking clear on the home turn, the Lindsay Park-trained 2yo was all out holding the challenge of Gary Portelli's first starter Single Bullet (Not A Single Doubt) by a neck with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Dinnigan (Snitzel) another long head away in third. (photos Steve Hart).
"Wyong and drawing the outside there was only one option," Zahra told Sky Racing.
"Especially when you've got them going the around the other way first time, it's always good to have the rail.
"We had to use her a bit and I don't think she liked the track. She's got a really big stride and she struggled a little bit but she was too strong in the end – didn't want it much further though."
Winner of the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes at Flemington when making her career debut on October 2,
Ben Hayes, who trains in partnership with his father David and Tom Dabernig, confirmed Madeenaty would make her next start in the 2yo feature at the Gold Coast on January 14.
"We've kept her fresh for this race so she will be spot on for the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast," he said.
"She's got great gate speed and that's a good asset for a two-year-old to have."
Bred and offered for sale by Segenhoe Stud, Madeenaty was purchased by Shadwell for $775,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale in January.
She is the second foal and second winner out of the top-class Reset mare Set For Fame whose five wins included three at Group II level and was runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
A great-daughter of Bletchingly's sister Alaya, Set For Fame had an I Am Invincible filly foaled on September 3 after she slipped her Exceed And Excel foal in 2014.
Exceed And Excel has 17 yearlings catalogued for the Magic Millions, just one each at the Inglis Classic and Premier Yearling sales.
