Widden
Stud's Cox Plate winner Shamus Award featured at Doomben on Saturday when his
exciting filly Malahide scored a resounding win in the $175,000 BRC Aquis
Crystal Slipper.
Trained at the Gold Coast by Michael Costa, Malahide was an easy debut winner on
her home track earlier this month and kept right on with the job in this tougher
assignment over 1200 metres.
She zoomed home from back in the field under Scott Galloway to win by a length
and a quarter and has now nearly $120,000 for her big team of owners.
Michael Costa is best known for giving up 2017 Golden Slipper winner She Will
Reign when he moved to Queensland two years ago.
"I don't regret the move at all and things have been going well. I just
need a headline horse and Malahide could be it," Costa said.
"She beat the older mares at the Gold Coast at her first start and then
she has won this $175,000 race today. She can go for a holiday now and then
come back as a three year old."
An $85,000 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale purchase for her trainer from
the Tyreel Stud draft, Malahide is the first winner for Charge Forward mare
Lady Millions, an unraced half-sister to Group III winner Karacatis and
stakes-winner Shamillion.
Malahide is the best of six winners (one in the Philippines) for Shamus Award,
who stands at the affordable fee of $11,000 this spring.