A long-range plan to get Bigboyroy to the Gold Coast for a tilt at the Magic Millions Raceday paid dividends on Saturday when Chris Waller’s gelding monstered his rivals in the $250,000 Magic Millions Open (1800m).
Kerrin McEvoy initially parked the five-year-old son of Dissident outside the leader but, after absorbing some pressure from a horse three-wide, the jockey elected to let his mount stride to the lead passing the 1200m post.
Bigboyroy stole a four-length margin at the top of the straight and maintained a strong gallop to the winning post, easily defeating stablemate Wheelhouse.
Waller, who won last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Shaquero, said it was a special win for his owners, including Gold Coast local Noel Greenhalgh, who had maintained patience with the gelding while he recovered from colic surgery in 2021.
“Noel Greenhalgh, he’s one of the main owners and I think he got the group together with Peter Tighe and a few of their mates,” Waller said.
“We’ve said all along that we’d try to get the horse to the races up here.
“Last year he actually got colic and had a really big surgery and he was off the scene for six months and here he is back a year later, a year after he was meant to be up here and he’s winning a big prize which is a big deal for a horse like this.
“He went quick enough to say that he’d lead and then he backed off and got a couple of soft sectionals.
“Wheelhouse was very good considering the way the race was run.”
While McEvoy admitted that he had some pre-race concerns about Bigboyroy’s credentials over 1800m, he said a key gear change seemed to have proved a masterstroke.
“I must admit, I was worried about the distance for him but Chris (Waller) put a different bit on him today,” McEvoy said.
“He got into a spot outside the leader and I would’ve liked to have stayed there but then a horse came on his left as we got over the crossing near the mile and he just got a bit fired up.
Bigboyroy stole a four-length margin at the top of the straight and maintained a strong gallop to the winning post, easily defeating stablemate Wheelhouse.
Waller, who won last year’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic with Shaquero, said it was a special win for his owners, including Gold Coast local Noel Greenhalgh, who had maintained patience with the gelding while he recovered from colic surgery in 2021.
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“Noel Greenhalgh, he’s one of the main owners and I think he got the group together with Peter Tighe and a few of their mates,” Waller said.
“We’ve said all along that we’d try to get the horse to the races up here.
“Last year he actually got colic and had a really big surgery and he was off the scene for six months and here he is back a year later, a year after he was meant to be up here and he’s winning a big prize which is a big deal for a horse like this.
“He went quick enough to say that he’d lead and then he backed off and got a couple of soft sectionals.
“Wheelhouse was very good considering the way the race was run.”
While McEvoy admitted that he had some pre-race concerns about Bigboyroy’s credentials over 1800m, he said a key gear change seemed to have proved a masterstroke.
“I must admit, I was worried about the distance for him but Chris (Waller) put a different bit on him today,” McEvoy said.
“He got into a spot outside the leader and I would’ve liked to have stayed there but then a horse came on his left as we got over the crossing near the mile and he just got a bit fired up.
“I just let him free-wheel to get him comfortable and happy.
“To the horse’s credit, he gave a nice kick when I asked him and was nice and genuine.”
Part of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bigboyroy was purchased by Waller in conjunction with bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster.
Bred by SF Bloodstock and foaled and raised at Newgate, the gelding is out of the Stakes-performed Flying Spur mare Follonica.
Waller and Mulcaster have teamed up for several key purchases at this year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, including a $650,000 Snitzel colt (Lot 698) and a $550,000 I Am Invincible filly (Lot 813).
“To the horse’s credit, he gave a nice kick when I asked him and was nice and genuine.”
Part of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Bigboyroy was purchased by Waller in conjunction with bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster.
Bred by SF Bloodstock and foaled and raised at Newgate, the gelding is out of the Stakes-performed Flying Spur mare Follonica.
Waller and Mulcaster have teamed up for several key purchases at this year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale, including a $650,000 Snitzel colt (Lot 698) and a $550,000 I Am Invincible filly (Lot 813).
